Homes for Londoners Land Fund (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: During your oral update at Mayor’s Question Time on 21 March 2019, you told me you would look into publishing the full agenda, minutes and papers for the GLA Interest Rate Setting Board, Greater London Authority Land & Property Ltd board, and Investment Strategy Committee. Please outline the date by when these will begin to be published. Will you also publish backdated agendas, minutes and papers?

The Mayor: Following Mayor's Question Time on 21 March 2019, my team looked into the issues you raised and the GLA’s Assistant Director - Group Finance, David Gallie, wrote to you on 12 April 2019 which I hope set out a full response. If you have not received this letter, or would like to discuss its contents in more detail, please contact David Gallie.

Fitting solar panels in conservation areas

Caroline Russell: The 2015 London Assembly Environment Committee report, Bring me sunshine, how London’s homes could generate more solar energy, recommended an amendment to the London Plan to reflect planning changes that make it easier to permit solar photovoltaics (PV) in conservation areas. Why is this not reflected in your draft London Plan?

The Mayor: My draft London Plan policy requires all major development submitted for planning application to meet minimum on-site carbon reduction targets through a mixture of energy efficiency, efficient energy supply and renewables. Developers must also show they have maximised opportunities for on-site energy production from solar technologies. In 2017, 78 per cent of all strategic planning applications (generally anything above 150 residential units) that are referred to me included solar PV in order to meet my carbon reduction targets.
Permitted development rights, which are set nationally, can enable the installation of solar panels without planning permission. As explained in my Solar Action Plan, some local authorities have removed permitted development rights, particularly in heritage or conservation areas due to concerns over visual impact, meaning that planning permission is needed before work can start. This can result in solar PV proposals being refused. As part of the implementation of the Solar Action Plan, my officers will be engaging with boroughs to map the variance of planning approaches and help achieve consistency where possible across London.

Broken Brixton Road air pollution monitor

Caroline Russell: In January 2019, I raised concerns about the length of time the Brixton Road air pollution monitor had been broken (question 2019/0251). This highly polluted road is one of the first sites that is likely to breach London’s annual nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits each year. Since becoming operational, the monitor registered 13 hourly NO2 breaches by 2 April 2019. However, it is broken again and currently showing zero hourly breaches. On the evidence that you have, would it have breached its annual NO2 limits if the monitor had been working from the beginning of the year?

The Mayor: Lambeth Council are responsible for the Brixton Road monitoring station. The monitor came out of service in August 2019 due to water damage. My officers were in regular contact with Lambeth to ensure the monitor came on line as soon as possible. After delays with contractors the site came back online on 12 March 2019. The site reported data for the remainder of March, recording a number of hours above the nitrogen dioxide limit. However, an audit of the site in early April revealed a fault with the monitoring equipment, potentially linked to the equipment’s time in storage. GLA officers have worked closely with Lambeth and experts at King’s College London to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
The fault with the monitor makes it likely the data recorded in March 2019 (including the 13 hourly breaches) will no longer be valid. This data has been removed from the Londonair website, and is the reason the site now shows zero breaches for 2019. Once the fault with the sensor has been fully evaluated experts at King’s College will make a final assessment on the validity of the March 2019 data. Before that time it is not possible to evaluate if it would have breached its annual NO2 limits.

Measuring air pollution at St George’s Hospital

Caroline Russell: A constituent has asked why St George’s Hospital in Tooting was not fitted with a stationary air pollution monitor under your Breathe London programme for hospitals?

The Mayor: The current scheme is a twelve-month pilot, testing the feasibility of local air quality monitoring at ten major London hospitals. The hospitals selected are in areas where our modelling indicates there is illegal or unsafe levels of pollution. All ten hospitals taking part in the pilot are located in areas that our modelling indicates have higher levels of pollution than St George’s.
Installing air quality monitoring is one of the actions on the Clean Air Hospitals Framework launched earlier this year by Great Ormond Street Hospital and Global Action Plan. This pilot will help ten hospitals in London achieve this first action. My officers are now in discussion with the NHS to see how they might support a wider hospitals monitoring framework. The Government should also consider what support they can provide.

Extinction Rebellion’s pink boat

Caroline Russell: Will you help find a permanent home in one of London’s museums for Berta Cáceres, the pink boat from the Extinction Rebellion peaceful protest at Oxford Circus in April 2019?

The Mayor: We are in the midst of a climate emergency which poses a threat to our health, our planet and our children and grandchildren’s future. We need an urgent step change in the way we think and act in order to tackle this crisis. This is why I have been doing everything in my power to cut London’s carbon emissions, including delivering the world leading Ultra Low Emission Zone this year. I share the passion of the Extinction Rebellion protestors about the importance of tackling climate change, and in April met with campaigners from the group to discuss their work.
City Hall is not responsible for collections policies, but if the boat is available I will inform my family of museums, including the Museum of London, of the opportunity to acquire this object.

The Mayor: We are in the midst of a climate emergency which poses a threat to our health, our planet and our children and grandchildren’s future. We need an urgent step change in the way we think and act in order to tackle this crisis. This is why I have been doing everything in my power to cut London’s carbon emissions, including delivering the world leading Ultra Low Emission Zone this year. I share the passion of the Extinction Rebellion protestors about the importance of tackling climate change, and in April met with campaigners from the group to discuss their work.
City Hall is not responsible for collections policies, but if the boat is available I will inform my family of museums, including the Museum of London, of the opportunity to acquire this object.

Government set to miss carbon emission targets

Caroline Russell: The Prime Minister declined to meet Greta Thunberg, saying: “I often hear young people tell of the importance of climate change.” She also added: “This government has a fine record on climate change.” However, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) updated energy and emissions projection report, published in April 2019, showed the UK is now set to miss its 2025 and 2030 emission targets by an even larger margin than before, stating: “Many policies which will affect the 2020s and beyond have not yet been developed to the point at which they can be included in these projections.” Do you agree with me that this is another example of the reckless disregard the government has for the climate emergency and for their responsibilities to tackle climate change?

The Mayor: I share your concern about the recent projections which show the UK is set to miss its current carbon emission reduction targets. I declared a climate emergency last year, and set a zero carbon target in my 2016 election manifesto. The Government urgently needs to commit to a net zero emissions target in line with the Paris Agreement and introduce further policies and funding to deliver the reductions required.
My 1.5C Compatible Climate Action Plan, the first for a UK city, clearly sets out what needs to happen to get to zero carbon. We need a step change in the delivery of energy efficiency, a clear path to decarbonise heat and greater support to switch to zero emissions vehicles. I have consistently made this point to BEIS, in meetings with Ministers and officials and through consultation responses. I hope that the recent protests and Committee on Climate Change report will drive the government to deliver the urgent climate action we need.

Disposal of paint and household chemicals (2)

Caroline Russell: Thank you for your response to my question 2018/5199. Could you provide any data that you have on the annual volume or number of paint cans deposited at local council Re-use and Recycling Centres (RRCs) and the City of London Corporation’s hazardous waste collection service? What proportion of collected paint is redistributed or remanufactured?

The Mayor: The City of London provides a household hazardous waste collection service on behalf of every London borough except for Hillingdon, which uses a local service provider to collect household hazardous waste from its residents. Haringey does not use the City of London service for collections of paint, which it provides its own collection service for. We do not have data for Hillingdon or Haringey. Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/8870 for how theLondon Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) arehelping Londoners to recycle their used paint.
The specific data breakdown for paint cans requested is not available from the City of London Corporation. However, the City of London have provided data showing that their service collects around 370 tonnes of hazardous waste each year from London households and from RRCs that accept hazardous waste dropped off by local residents. Around 120 tonnes are chemicals (predominantly paints, waste oils and cleaning products), with asbestos making up the remaining 250 tonnes.
The paints and other chemicals collected by through the City of London’s service is often contaminated and not suitable for recycling. It is treated through specialist incineration outside of London.

Homes for Londoners Land Fund (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please outline the interest rates for the loans approved in DD2305. Are you confident that giving a loan to a developer before planning permission has been granted is an appropriate course of action?

The Mayor: Publishing the interest rates for the loans approved in DD2305 would harm the commercial interests of the GLA which are legitimate economic interests in line with the Information Commissioner’s guidance.
Disclosure of the interest rates as requested would leave the GLA at a disadvantage in future negotiations. The rates would set a benchmark for future borrowers and impact our commercial negotiating position in future transactions.
Providing the loans prior to receipt of planning permission has enabled the GLA to secure a contractual obligation for delivery of 50 per centaffordable housing on each site. The GLA has negotiated a security package for the funding which includes a charge over land.

NOx Emissions In Central London

David Kurten: You stated in your answer to question MQ2019/0220 that you believe taxis will cause 30% of NOx emissions in Central London in 2020. Does this figure include taxis only, or is it a combined figure for taxis and private hire vehicles? In either case, what percentage of NOx emissions­ in Central London do you estimate will be caused by private hire vehicles in Central London in 2020?

The Mayor: The estimate of 30 per cent of total road transport NOx emissions in Central London in 2020 is for taxis only. The NOx emissions of private hire vehicles are not modelled separately and instead included with those of passenger cars, because the vehicle technology is the same type.

Action on Equality

Florence Eshalomi: In March 2017 Transport for London published their first yearly Action on Equality 2016/17 progress report. What plans, if any, do you have to publish progress reports for 2017/18 and 2018/19?

The Mayor: Transport for London is in the process of creating a new Diversity & Inclusion Impact Report, which will combine and supersede both the annual Action on Equality Progress Report and the annual Workforce Monitoring Report, which were both last published in 2016/17.
It is anticipated that the Diversity & Inclusion Impact Report for 2017/18 and 2018/19 will be published later this year.

London Capital & Finance

Tony Devenish: What can you do to ensure that another scandal like the one with London Capital & Finance does not happen again?

The Mayor: I was appalled to hear about that thousands of small-scale investors who lost their savings by investing with London Capital & Finance would not be able to claim for compensation.
I understand that the Government has ordered an investigation of the Financial Conduct Authority's supervision of London Capital & Finance.Once we get the findings from that investigation all parties will hopefully better be able to understand the circumstances that led to recent events so that regulations can be put in place.
I am also aware that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme said it would be open to exploring whether there are grounds for compensation, having reversed their earlier position that investors would not be able to lodge claims. This is a position I support wholeheartedly and furthermore Government has to ensure this is not allowed to happen again to future investors.

Buses

Tony Arbour: Would the Mayor state the current price of hydrogen buses in comparison to electric?

The Mayor: The estimates in the table below are indicative and can range significantly with the volume of buses ordered, carrying capacity, operating range and vehicle specification chosen. The total operating costs over the life of the bus must be taken into account to assess the overall value for money. Vehicle costs are estimates because operators bid for route contracts and procure or lease vehicles in relation to contracts they win.
Bus Type
Indicative Unit Cost
Pure-electric single deck
£350,000
Pure-electric double deck
£425,000
Fuel-cell single deck
£475,000
Fuel-cell double deck
£500,000

Trees

Tony Arbour: How many trees under this mayoralty have been planted?

The Mayor: Further to my response to Mayor's Question 2018/5484, since May 2016, the GLA and the functional bodies have recorded planting 175,000 trees. This is more than were planted over the two terms of the previous mayoral administration.
Over this period, members of the London Tree Partnership have planted at least 70,000 additional trees (figures for this winter are not currently available). As reporting by the Partnership is voluntary this figure underestimates the number of trees they have planted.
Data is not collected on trees planted by homeowners (except through my tree giveaways), other public bodies, developers or businesses.
Applications for my Community Tree Planting Grants are open until 24 June 2019 to support more tree planting next winter. I encourage community groups, boroughs, schools and charities to apply.
I have also set aside £1.5 million to create new woodlands and will be announcing these projects later this year.

ULEZ and Black cabs

Navin Shah: I welcome the introduction of ULEZ last month which will improve the air quality of our city. However, how do you respond to my constituent concerns that black cabs which are responsible for 25% of the NOx pollution in the city, are exempt from the scheme?

The Mayor: I understand your constituent’s concerns. Historically, taxi drivers have had a limited choice of heavy diesel vehicles to use and this has led to the taxi fleet becoming a significant contributor to poor air quality, particularly in central London.
Taxis are not in scope of the ULEZ because they are legally obliged to use a certain type of vehicle that is purpose designed for London’s unique street network and fully accessible to wheelchair users. However, Transport for London (TfL) has set strict licensing requirements which came into force from the beginning of 2018, designed to speed up the replacement of dirty diesel taxis with electric vehicles, with the support of dedicated charge points. The licencing requirements far exceed the ULEZ emission standards and mean that no more diesel taxis are being licensed and all new taxis must be zero emission capable.
However, I continue to look across all modes of transport to address London’s air quality challenges and the taxi trade must do its part even though drivers are exempt from the ULEZ. TfL has recently consulted on a proposal to reduce the maximum age limit of older diesel taxis (currently 15 years) to 12 years by 2022. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, TfL estimate this proposal would reduce taxi NOx emissions in central London by up to 14 per cent in 2019 and by at least 65 per cent by 2025, which is necessary to meet legal obligations.

Taxi Emissions

David Kurten: Are emissions projections of the taxi fleet & mileage weighted?

The Mayor: Yes, they are. As outlined in Mayor's Question 2019/0220, emissions estimates of taxis, as for all vehicle types, are based on a number of parameters including fleet composition (fuel type and emission Euro standards) and the annual distances covered (i.e., the mileage). Estimated changes in both fleet composition and mileage are taken into account in the calculation of emissions in future years.

Short-term lettings registration (2)

Tom Copley: Do you have an estimate of how many homes are being let out on short-term lettings platforms beyond the 90 day per year limit?

The Mayor: My team is in regular contact with local authorities regarding short term lets, who have expressed their concern at the scale of suspected illegal activity. Given the lack of available data, and their stretched resources, they have struggled to gather an accurate picture of the number of short lets in breach of the rule.

Dedicated charging points

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state how many dedicated rapid charging points now exist for taxis? Please also list the current location of them.

The Mayor: As of 11 March 2019, there are 68 taxi dedicated Rapid Charge Points in London that have been delivered with funding facilitated by Transport for London. A full list of locations and number of charge points per site is listed below.
Not all rapid charge points will be dedicated. TfL have funded a further 103 rapid charge points that are publicly accessible and available for taxis to use. This brings the total number of rapid charge points to around 200 when combined with other networks.
1
Kilburn Station, NW6 7QP
Brent
1
2
Heathrow Airport
Hillingdon
7
3
Warwick Avenue by Clifton Villas
Westminster
1
4
London Road south of Heathview Road
Croydon
1
5
Lidlington Place
Camden
1
6
294 Euston Road
Camden
1
7
Burdett Road south of Portia way
Tower Hamlets
1
8
Kensington Road - Palace Gate (Broadwalk)
Westminster
1
9
Arnos Grove Station Car Park
Enfield
1
10
Brent Cross Station Car Park
Barnet
1
11
East Finchley Station Car Park
Barnet
1
12
Fairlop Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
13
Hainault Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
14
Harrow-On-The-Hill Station Car Park
Harrow
1
15
Highgate Station Car Park
Haringey
1
16
Hounslow-West Station Car Park
Hounslow
1
17
Leytonstone Station Car Park
Waltham Forest
1
18
Newbury Park Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
19
Oakwood Station Car Park
Enfield
1
20
Osterley Station Car Park
Hounslow
1
21
Ruislip Gardens Station Car Park
Hillingdon
1
22
South Woodford Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
23
South-Harrow Station Car Park
Harrow
1
24
South-Ruislip Station Car Park
Hillingdon
1
25
Totteridge & Whetstone Station Car Park
Barnet
1
26
Wanstead Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
27
Wembley Park Station Car Park
Brent
1
28
Barkingside Station Car Park
Redbridge
1
29
Hatton-Cross Station Car Park
Hillingdon
1
30
Hornchurch Station Car Park
Havering
1
31
Mill Hill East Station Car Park
Barnet
1
32
Perivale Station Car Park
Ealing
1
33
Queensbury Station Car Park
Brent
1
34
Theydon-Bois Station Car Park
Outside London
1
35
Watford Station Car Park
Outside London
1
36
Woodside-Park Station Car Park
Barnet
1
37
76-80 Tower Bridge Road
Southwark
1
38
103 Southwark Street
Southwark
1
39
76 Southwark Street
Southwark
1
40
48 Southwark Street
Southwark
1
41
49 Southwark Street
Southwark
1
42
Great Dover Street northbound,
Southwark
1
43
16 Talgarth Road
Hammersmith & Fulham
1
44
Battersea Park Road opp Beechmore Road (Wtnd)
Wandsworth
1
45
A12 Colchester Road - East of Geoffrey Avenue (Ebnd)
Havering
1
46
38 Great Cambridge Road
Haringey
1
47
Richmond Circus - South side
Richmond
1
48
Argyle Road junction
Ealing
1
49
Layby parking east of 27/001 there is
Hammersmith & Fulham
1
50
Canary Wharf
Newham
1
51
Outside & Opposite Theodore, Jansen and Leight House
Wandsworth
1
52
Outside 180 - 182 Seven Sisters Road
Islington
1
53
Opposite 167 - 171 Isledon Road
Islington
1
54
Outside 347 - 353 Eastern Avenue
Redbridge
1
55
Outside 3 - 7 Market Parade
Hounslow
1
56
Outside Block E Du Cane
Wandsworth
1
57
Outside 173 Kennington Lane
Lambeth
1
58
Outside Penryn House Kennington Park Road
Lambeth
1
59
16 Gleneagle Road
Lambeth
1
60
Morant House Stockwell Road
Lambeth
1
61
Hanover Gate Mansions - Park Road
Westminster
1
62
Hepworth Road at junction with Streatham High Road
Lambeth
1

First Group/TfL Joint Safety Panel (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to the your response to MQT 2018/2994 can you explain why TfL’s Managing Director for Surface Transport was not a member of the First Group/TfL Joint Safety Panel?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) former Managing Director for Surface Transport was not a member of the First Group/TfL Joint Safety Panel because TfL was represented at the joint panel meetings between Tram Operations Ltd and (TfL) by the following four Directors:

Local Authority Cuts

Leonie Cooper: Have you conducted an assessment of cuts to local authority greening, tree planting and park maintenance budgets in London and the impact of these cuts?

The Mayor: To inform my newly formed Green Spaces Commission, I recently commissioned Parks for London, a charity that provides a representative voice for parks and green spaces, to undertake a review of park services. This found that over the last seven years, 90 per cent of London boroughs have introduced reductions to their revenue budgets. This is reflected nationally by a report commissioned by the Government’s Parks Action Group showing a reduction in park spending from £970 million to £630 million between 2014/15 and 2016/17.
The review by Parks for London found that measuring the impact of funding reductions was extremely complex given the diversity of borough governance and funding arrangements. It also found that this lack of robust evidence is making it hard for boroughs to demonstrate value for money or overcome the perception that parks do not require ongoing investment. The report is available here: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/a_review_of_londons_parks_...
My London Green Spaces Commission will build on this review to highlight the potential impact of continued underinvestment. This will include working with boroughs to help them raise the profile of green infrastructure, including how it supports other council strategies and services. It will also help boroughs to transform the management and funding of their park services so that they can maintain or increase investment.

Energy for Londoners

Leonie Cooper: Please provide an update on the Energy for Londoners supply company. Will it definitely launch in 2019?

The Mayor: The Energy for Londoners supply company is currently in the final stages of procurement. In line with standard procurement procedures, I cannot share any more information at this stage so as not to compromise delivery. However, I am currently working towards a launch in winter 2019/20.

BAME Beneficiaries of the Mayor of London’s Funding to the British Fashion Council (5)

Jennette Arnold: What exposure does the British Fashion Council offer to those designers who are working in new innovative sustainable ways.

The Mayor: The UK fashion industry contributes £32 billion and 890,000 jobs to the UK, with much of the fashion industry based in London. The British Fashion Council is taking a leadership role to encourage the industry to take responsibility for its environmental impact. British Fashion Council has been hosting sustainable fashion shows since 2010 to showcase designers who work sustainably.
In 2017, the British Fashion Council launched “Positive Fashion” to encourage businesses to make a positive change. In September 2017, in partnership with Vivienne Westwood and the British Fashion Council, I launched the “Fashion SWITCH to Green” initiative which signed up major brands which were committed to switching to a green energy supplier by 2020.
In February 2019, British Fashion Council partnered with BBC Earth to highlight the environmental impact of the fashion industry and promote more mindful consumer decisions.

BAME Beneficiaries of the Mayor of London’s Funding to the British Fashion Council (4)

Jennette Arnold: How many London Fashion Designers of BAME heritage have been supported to meet the British Fashion Council’s criteria for a show, especially the one related to the number of stockists?

The Mayor: London Fashion Week offers designers a range of opportunities to help designers gain exposure to the media and to buyers. This includes catwalk presentations (the show schedule); off-catwalk presentations (the events schedule); and trade exhibitions.
Where designers do not meet the criteria for the show schedule, the British Fashion Council may encourage them to consider the events schedule where they can gain exposure to more stockists. Where a design business is less than three years old British Fashion Council may encourage them to apply to the NEWGEN initiative where they can get funding and showcasing opportunities. 45 per centof the current NEWGEN cohort are of BAME heritage.

BAME Beneficiaries of the Mayor of London’s Funding to the British Fashion Council (3)

Jennette Arnold: How many brands launched by London Fashion Designers of BAME heritage have been supported by the funding received by British Fashion Council’s from the Mayor of London?

The Mayor: It is important that London supports up-and-coming young designers and delivers effective trade platforms which generate millions of pounds in sales and orders for UK creative businesses.
The British Fashion Council’s primary support scheme for designers is NEWGEN. Forty-five per centof the current cohort of supported designers by the NEWGEN programme are BAME.

BAME Beneficiaries of the Mayor of London’s Funding to the British Fashion Council (2)

Jennette Arnold: How many Fashion Designers of BAME heritage have been supported to move from graduate status to a place on the London Fashion Week Schedule?

The Mayor: Graduate funding does not form part of the Greater London Authority’s grant to the British Fashion Council. However, the British Fashion Council funds the Fashion Trust which is a British Fashion Council charitable initiative that offers business support to UK-based designers through financial grants, mentoring and funding to provide traineeships to graduates. Since 2011, the Trust has awarded £2 million to 37 designers. Of the current cohort of designers, 31 per centare of BAME heritage.
British Fashion Council has also funded the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund since 2008. This aims to discover new talent and accelerate business growth over a twelve-month period through mentoring and funding. 57 per centof the shortlisted designers for the 2019 Vogue Designer Fashion Fund are of BAME heritage.

Passenger experience on buses

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/6050, you mentioned that TfL had implemented several initiatives to improve passenger experience on buses, such as Hello London and customer service toolkits. How is TfL measuring the success of these initiatives and what have been their results?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) uses a range of measures to monitor the impact of its initiatives. One example is via public feedback to TfL’s contact centre: there has been a 77 per cent increase in the number of customer commendations for bus drivers from spring 2016 when the two-day training programme started, to spring 2018 when it concluded.
TfL also uses customer experience surveys, conducted by ‘mystery travellers’ on bus routes. The customer experience score for bus drivers was 83.7 in quarter four of 2015/16 – just before the programme started – whereas the corresponding fourth quarters of 2017/18 and 2018/19 were at 85.4, showing a sustained rise.

Helicopter noise (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your reply to question 2016/1964 please state what has been the outcome of your pledge to press the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for Transport to develop a framework for managing and regulating helicopter noise in London.

The Mayor: Further to the detail provided in Mayor's Question 2019/8813, to date neither the Civil Aviation Authority nor the Department for Transport has committed to addressing the need for reform of the helicopter regime, nor establishing a credible and fully independent noise regulator with effective powers of enforcement. I will continue to press both issues.

Helicopter noise (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please set out in detail what progress has been made to reduce the effects of noise from helicopter pleasure flights as part of London's Ambient Noise Strategy.

The Mayor: Both the London Environment Strategy and draft London Plan set out my concern about the number of helicopters overflying London and the significant noise exposure that Londoners suffer as a result.
Regrettably, my powers over the regulation of noise from helicopters are extremely limited and ultimately it is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority to drive a meaningful reduction in noise from helicopter flights. The regime governing helicopter flights is decades out of date and desperately needs updating. If Government were to establish a fully independent aviation noise regulator, it could be well-placed with powers to set the noise framework, monitor compliance and enforce decisions including imposing penalties.
I have called for a regulator of this type to be established in my submission to the first stage consultation on the Government’s Future Aviation Strategy. The Government has now launched the second stage of this consultation, and I will repeat this call when submitting my response in June, as well as reiterating my concerns about the inadequacy of the current helicopter regime.

Tube noise [5]

Andrew Dismore: Although noise may have been reduced slightly in some locations such as Finchley Central, it did not exist at all before the speed increases and northbound track upgrades. Why can Transport for London not return this noise to previous level?

The Mayor: The northbound track upgrade was undertaken as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) wider programme of track renewals and upgrades. These works are essential for TfL to) to maintain reliability and safety on its network.
TfL is aware of recent complaints about tube noise in this area and will undertake further noise measurements and carry out practicable mitigations to reduce noise at affected properties.

Transport for London telephone contact numbers

Andrew Dismore: Do you agree that it is important that Transport for London maintain a working telephone system for complaints, for those who do not have access to email, or would prefer to speak to someone? What then is the best customer contact number, and how do you rate performance for handling calls?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) provides customers with a variety of ways to get in contact. If a customer prefers to speak to an advisor, TfL has a telephone line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The telephone number is 0343 222 1234 and all calls will be charged at a local rate – which is often free on many tariffs. Alternatively, TfL’s online tools allow customers to self-serve with minimal effort. These include the TfL website, TravelBot and Social Media.
The quality of TfL’s interactions with customers is assessed internally by line managers against a quality framework. The contact centre quality is also measured independently by a mystery shopping company who assess the interaction against the industry standards. This measure is included in the TfL performance scorecard.

Partnership Plus Scheme

Caroline Pidgeon: During Mayor’s Question Time on 21st March you said you would pass on my suggestion - of reviewing the new Partnership Plus scheme to see whether PCSOs could be included - to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. Have you now done this, and if so, what was their response?

The Mayor: The MPS has considered whether to offer Police Community Support Officers. In offering a local policing subsidised scheme to Local Authorities, the MPS has made a decision to focus on police officers, who offer full warranted powers and provide an additional resilience at times of emergency or unprecedented high demand.
Should a Local Authority wish to purchase additional PCSOs they may approach their local BCU Commander. Ifthe following agreement of both the BCU Commander and the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Front Line Policing, PCSOs can be supplied, subject to availability, on a full cost recovery basis. The full cost of a PCSO in 2019/20 including a 12.5 per centshift disturbance allowance would range from Inner London £56.5k and in Outer London £54k.

Ownership structures in London

Navin Shah: Recent research shared with the Guardian has shown that half of England is owned by less than 1% of its population. Has any analysis been done to reflect land ownership structures in London?

The Mayor: This research was undertaken by Guy Shrubsole and included in his book ‘Who Owns England?’ 2019. Other than this, I am not aware of any specific analysis of land ownership structures in London. However, my team is currently working on mapping publicly-owned land, drawing on land registry data and building on the early work of the London Land commission.

Willesden Green Station – Staffing (2)

Navin Shah: In response to my question (2019/0429), you said that Transport for London would launch their ‘Turn Up and Go’ app in February 2019, aimed at providing real time information for staff to see which trains are carrying customers in need of assistance.
Has this app been launched and how many times has it been used up to present?


Has it provided improvements to those customers with mobility difficulties?


Has TfL set a date for the launch of the customer-facing app, ‘TfL Go’?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) launched the Turn Up and Go tool on the Station Real Time Information app on Sunday 10 February. This is a tool for staff to help them record and manage turn up and go journeys starting, interchanging or ending at their stations.
To date, 4604 turn up and go journeys have been recorded by staff using the tool.
As part of on-going evaluation of its customer services, TfL monitors all customer feedback. TfL has not yet undertaken analysis of the impact the Turn Up and Go tool has had on customers but will be reviewing this in the future.
TfL has not yet set a date for the release of the new customer facing app – provisionally named TfL Go. Development of the app is ongoing. I have asked TfL to inform you of the launch date when it is available.

The Carlton and Granville Community Centres

Navin Shah: The Mayor’s London Plan acknowledges the importance of protecting existing community spaces as they are under threat across London, such as is the case of The Granville and Carlton community centres - heritage buildings in the South Kilburn estate. Concerns are that due to pressures for local redevelopment, communities will end up losing the level and quality of facilities they currently have. How can the Mayor influence local councils to A) protect existing community centres / spaces B) ensure that any redevelopment on the site of existing community centres accommodates the quality and scale of community facilities to fully serve demands of the existing communities as well as future residents in the locality? High quality and adequate social infrastructure is key to inclusive and thriving neighbourhoods.

The Mayor: I agree that social infrastructure is key to supporting inclusive and thriving neighbourhoods. My draft London Plan sets out policies that require boroughs to undertake a needs assessment of social infrastructure (including community, youth, recreation and other facilities), to ensure boroughs fully understand existing and future needs and plan appropriately for them. The draft Plan also protects social infrastructure from development that would lead to the loss of facilities in an area of defined need, unless a replacement is provided that would continue to meet the needs of the neighbourhood it serves. I can only directly use my planning powers on applications that are referable; however, the London Plan will become part of the development plan for the whole of London once adopted, and should be used by boroughs to guide decision-making.

Olympic Legacy (3)

Navin Shah: What steps, if any, have you taken to ensure that the Olympic Legacy has positive effect across London, especially in the Outer London boroughs?

The Mayor: Through the work of London Legacy Development Corporation, we are:
“Sport Unites”, my £8.8 million community sport programme promotes the power of sport and focuses on improving social integration and the physical and mental health of Londoners. I support projects in every London borough.
My Team London volunteering and social action programme also delivers a positive legacy from the Olympics, with volunteers acting as the friendly and welcoming face of London each summer in key central areas, transport hubs and major events. Next summer we are delighted that we will recruit Host City volunteers to welcome visitors to Euro2020.

High Street Closures

Navin Shah: With news that Debenhams are planning to close a number of stores across London, what steps will you be taking to ensure that our High Streets continue to thrive, even after the loss of such a big name?

The Mayor: London is home to an amazing variety of high streets and town centres. Each high street in London is as unique as the community it serves, and performs an essential economic, social and civic role. Although they’re facing significant challenges, for generations high streets have proved their resilience to the changing face of retail.
Business rates increase of online shopping and high rents are creating a ‘perfect storm’ of extremely difficult trading conditions. My draft London Plantakes a strong ‘town centres first’ approach, focusing commercial development in town centres, with employment, entertainment, retail and other commercial uses helping to attract customers to a vibrant mix of businesses.
I welcome recent Government proposals for an online sales tax aimed at levelling the playing field and providing support for struggling retailers. However, this should be part of a wider package of reforms aimed at supporting the High Street.
Protecting our high streets and the retail sector is vital, which is why I will continue to campaign for the full devolution of business rates, so we can safeguard the high street businesses and retail sector jobs that so many depend on.
I have awarded funding to high street and town centre projects through my Good Growth Fund and Crowdfund London and my Economic Development Strategy supports the inclusive and diverse nature of London’s high streets and town centres, encouraging stewardship from local residents and businesses to maximise local economic opportunities.

Olympic Legacy (1)

Navin Shah: What steps, if any, have you taken to rebuild our Olympic Legacy, following the failure under your predecessor?

The Mayor: I am committed to delivering an Olympic and Paralympic legacy for all, and to ensure that the regeneration of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park truly benefits all who work in, live and visit the area.
In June 2018, I unveiled my £1.1 billion vision for East Bank. This ambitious project will deliver a world-class cultural and educational district to the heart of the Park, becoming home to the BBC, V&A, University College London, Sadler’s Wells, UAL’s London College of Fashion and the Smithsonian Institution. East Bank will create 2,500 jobs, attract an additional 1.5 million visitors to the Park annually, and generate £1.5 billion for the local economy – driving investment, stimulating growth and offering opportunities for all Londoners.
I’ve also ensured that at least 50 per cent of homes on the London Legacy Development Corporation’s land will be affordable, and have taken action to get the London Stadium onto a firmer financial footing, whilst attracting major events to London, including Major League Baseball this June.

London Community Energy Fund

Leonie Cooper: How soon will there be another round of funding under the London Community Energy Fund?

The Mayor: I am planning to open the third phase of the London Community Energy Fund for applications in the Summer.

Tube noise [6]

Andrew Dismore: How many complaints about increased tube noise have Transport for London received from Hendon Central, namely Prothero Gardens and Quadrant Close? What assessment has been made of the cause of an increase in tube noise there?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has received four complaints about tube noise in the Hendon Central area in 2019.
TfL has undertaken noise readings and targeted site visits and will be carrying out remedial works to the track this month.

Design quality (2)

Tom Copley: Have you or your representatives met with or submitted evidence to the Government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission?

The Mayor: Neither I nor my officers have met with or submitted evidence to the Government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission. However, my officers are in regular contact with the Government teams that lead on planning, design policy and architecture.

First Group/TfL Joint Safety Panel (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to the your response to MQT 2018/2995, please tell me which meetings of the First Group/TfL Joint Safety Panel were attended by TfL’s Managing Director for Surface Transport.

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) former Managing Director for Surface Transport did not attend the joint panel meetings between Tram Operations Ltd and TfL, but a number of TfL directors and senior managers did. Please refer toMayor’s Question 2018/2994, which listed the names and positions of the attendees of these meetings.

Croydon Council Stakeholder Representation on FirstGroup Tram Operations Limited’s Board of Directors

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question2019/0147you stated that you "understand that the London Borough of Croydon has existing channels of communication with TOL and there are a number of public events and panels which enable information to be sought and provided and which reflectthe importance of the Croydon Tram to its surrounding locality.” Are you aware not a single TOL representative attended the Croydon Council’s investigation of tram safety held on 20 March 2018? Do you agree that Croydon Council having non-voting representation on the TOL Board would be a more secure communication channel?

The Mayor: I am aware that Tram Operations Ltd (TOL) did not attend the meeting in March 2018; I understand they were not invited by London Borough of Croydon. However, TOL, along with Transport for London (TfL), did attend the latest meeting of this group on the 19 February 2019 to give an update on progress on delivery of the Rail Accident Investigations Branch recommendations. TOL also regularly meets with Croydon councillors and stakeholders, alongside TfL, principally through the council’s Public Transport Liaison Group where council representatives are able to discuss tram matters with both parties.
I am therefore satisfied that effective communication should be possible through the existing channels.

Swiss Cottage gyratory

Andrew Dismore: Transport for London has expressed anintention to work with Camden to develop new plans toimprove safety for all users at the Swiss Cottage gyratory system, including focus on completing certain sections of the former CS11 proposal includingthe Swiss Cottage gyratory. Will this include blockingthe Avenue Rd side of the A41 to all traffic except buses and cycles, especially bearing in mind Transport for London’s decision to tell the 100 Avenue Rd Construction Working Group meeting that it may let lorries use the A41 (Avenue Rd) to access the site, to a greater extent and duration than is currently committed in the Essential Living Construction Management Plan, because of the indefinite suspension of plans for CS11. What is being proposed for this gyratory?

The Mayor: The Court action by Westminster City Council in September 2018 postponed Cycle Superhighway 11 (CS11). This meant that the proposed transformation of Swiss Cottage gyratory, to reduce traffic domination and make the neighbourhood safer and less intimidating for people walking and cycling, has not progressed.
In spite of this, Transport for London (TfL) remains keen to work with Camden Council to explore new opportunities to make Swiss Cottage an even better place to live and work, reducing road danger for people walking and cycling, and making it easier for users to move through the area.
This summer, TfL will begin work with Camden Council to re-consider how the gyratory could change to realise local priorities and the Mayor’s Healthy Streets Approach. Until these investigations have concluded, I cannot provide further details on future gyratory proposals, including user access to A41 Avenue Road.

Estate regeneration balloting (3)

Tom Copley: Could you provide a list of estates that have to-date held residents’ ballots on regeneration proposals, and any estates where these are due to happen in the future?

The Mayor: The resident ballot requirement is a funding condition in the GLA’s affordable housing grant agreements. Landlords are only required to notify the GLA if they have held a positive ballot and wish to draw down grant. As a result, the GLA does not have an accurate record of estates that are due to hold ballots in the future. The GLA would have no mechanism to require social landlords to notify us of such plans.
The GLA publishes a list of estates where it has been informed that positive ballots have taken place at the link below. It also publishes information here about estate regeneration projects it is funding. Please note some of these projects will not trigger the resident ballot requirement and some may be eligible for an exemption to the resident ballot requirement.
https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/increasing-housing-supply/estate-regeneration-data

Tube Noise – Harrow On The Hill

Navin Shah: I refer to your response to my question (January 2019) on the above issue.
In response to your reply my constituent states: 1) Fence was not erected by Transport for London. New fences were funded by residents personally at the cost of £700 each. The fences have had no effect on the noise and residents continue to endure noise seven days a week. 2) Residents would like to know why Transport for London moved the crossover rails from “the sidings” outside Harrow on the Hill station to the end of gardens, polluting gardens with unceasing intruding noise.Back in Easter 2017, when the engineering works were completed (without the usual information letter / prior notice), residents complained to TfL. TfL eventually admitted that the engineering work was carried out without any environmental checks on how it would affect the area and those living in Ashburnham Avenue.
I am concerned that I’m getting conflicting responses on an issue which has adversely affected residents for the well over a year. Can TfL meet local residents to resolve the matters urgently?

The Mayor: Yes, I understand Transport for London (TfL) has been in touch with the affected residents to arrange a meeting to discuss their concerns and potential solutions.
In 2017, TfL carried out crossing replacement work outside Harrow on the Hill station. The new crossings were moved south of the original location as this straighter piece of track allows for faster train movements and a more efficient maintenance regime, improving the service for customers. The new design also required a physically larger area than the previous crossing.
TfL is committed to reducing the noise experienced by people who live above or close to the Tube and they will continue to take all reasonable measures to minimise noise and limit the disruption it causes.

Spending Review

Gareth Bacon: The Chancellor has suggested that the 2019 Spending Review is likely to be postponed from this summer, as a result of the delay and uncertainty around Brexit. However, this is a key process for the Mayor as it impacts around half the funding in his budget, therefore can you tell me:
a. What is on your ‘wish list’ for additional funding from the upcoming Spending Review?
b. How are you engaging with Government in the run up to the 2019 Spending Review?
c. How are you making the case for funding for London in advance of the upcoming Spending Review?

The Mayor: a) My ‘wish list’ includes a sustainable funding settlement for policing, including addressing the underfunding of the National and International Capital City grant; a new long-term capital settlement for the Affordable Homes programme, in order to respond to the true level of housing need in London; and longer-term certainty over business rates income, which is necessary to plan ahead and commit to important projects, such as transport infrastructure upgrades.
b) Officers have already begun discussions with government officials and I am seeking a meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. This will be followed by detailed engagement at official and ministerial level, and a detailed submission to HM Treasury.
c) London has shouldered almost one third of local government austerity cuts imposed over the last decade. I am supportive of London Councils’ Spending Review campaign and will be working with them and London’s business organisations to make the case for funding for London. The GLA is also engaging with the Government’s fair funding review and business rates review.

Rescue and Response Support Length

Jennette Arnold: How long are those referred to Rescue and Response supported for? Please provide a breakdown by age, ethnicity, gender and borough

The Mayor: The length of time that individuals working with Rescue and Response will be supported for will depend on their specific needs and the degree to which they engage.
A snap shot from between January and March 2019 shows 18 cases received less than one-month of interventions, 75 between one and five months, and 26 over six months.

Housing statistics

Andrew Boff: When publishing your quarterly housing starts, will you also publish how many bedrooms each started scheme will produce?

The Mayor: I will ask my team to include this information in the quarterly updates to the Budget Monitoring Committee from Q1 2019/20.

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy overseas vists

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with a list of all overseas visits by the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy. Please include details of how it was paid for and the total monetary value of each trip as well as who accompanied the Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor: Many of London’s environmental challenges are global in nature. Air quality in London is directly affected by air pollution from Europe and the impact of climate change on London requires action in both London, and internationally to reduce emissions to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C degrees. Important policies on air quality and climate change are also made at the European and international level. My Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, therefore, undertakes overseas trips to lobby for European and international policy to improve the environment in London, share and learn from environmental best practice, and promote London’s leading policies in these areas to encourage other cities to adopt more ambitious policies which will have international and London-level benefits.
Please see attached Appendix A which includes alist of overseas visits made by the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy. Please note that these were made by both train and flights, and the total monetary value includes travel and accommodation. All flights are offset using Gold Standard Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs).

Automation in the retail sector

Fiona Twycross: The Office for National Statistics found that supermarket checkout assistants have borne the brunt of automation, with 25.3% of jobs disappearing between 2011 and 2017. How can you help those Londoners affected reskill? Particularly women and part-time workers who are most affected.

The Mayor: I am committed to improving the skills and employability of Londoners, and the devolution of the £311 million per annum Adult Education Budget to London from 2019/20 presents a momentous opportunity to shape adult learning to better meet London’s needs. From the first year I will provide free skills training for Londoners earning below the London Living Wage in addition to Londoners who are out of work. Also, my 2019-23 ESF programme, which commences delivery this year, includes training in a variety of in-demand sectoral skills, and will provide support for women and part-time workers. Last year, I launched my £7 million Digital Talent Programme, which is aimed at Londoners aged 16 to 24 and will support more young women and young Londoners from diverse ethnic and disadvantaged backgrounds to enter digital occupations. Finally, this year I will be publishing my Local Industrial Strategy and accompanying Skills and Employment Vision, making the case to government for investment in London’s future prosperity.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (4)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure Transport for London uses its licensing powers to ensure bus companies’ fleet and staff are accessible to, and supportive of, people living with dementia?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan applies to development and does not apply to licensing of bus companies. However, the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) addresses the issues of improving the accessibility and inclusivity of public transport and staff training of bus drivers. The Accessibly Implementation Plan shown in figure 20 of the MTS sets out the measures that will be taken to improve the accessibility of buses, as well as other forms of transport.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (3)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure London’s housing stock is adapted to make it accessible for people affected by dementia, including different levels of support as the condition progresses?

The Mayor: The London Plan requires accessible housing standards to be met in both mainstream and specialist older persons housing developments; applying the Government prescribed accessible housing standards, resulting in at least 10 per cent of new build dwellings being ‘wheelchair user dwellings’ and the rest being ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’. Both of these standards incorporate Dementia Friendly Design features from the outset, and in addition incorporate features to allow further adaptations to be undertaken easily, cheaply and quickly as people’s requirements change as the condition progresses.
The Mayor’s Care and Support Specialised Housing programme provides capital funding to registered providers to remodel existing or build new specialist homes for older and disabled Londoners. This can include independent living for those living with dementia and specialised dementia developments.

Crossrail (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state how many people are currently working on Crossrail who are paid through Personal Service Companies via (a) Bechtel and (b) any other supplier.

The Mayor: Crossrail is not obliged to and does not keep records of the use of Personal Service Companies by Bechtel or any other suppliers of professional services.

Rotherhithe Crossing (2)

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with an itemised breakdown of how the total amount of money spent on the Rotherhithe Crossing project was spent?

The Mayor: The provision of a new crossing on the Thames in this part of London is highly complex and requires significant work to determine the different options, costs and benefits. This includes extensive engagement with stakeholders to robustly determine design, construction and operational requirements.
The itemised breakdown of how money was spent developing the crossing to date is as follows.

Rotherhithe Crossing (1)

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money that has been spent on the Rotherhithe Crossing project to date?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2019/8921.

Rotherhithe Crossing (3)

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with all cost-benefit analysis undertaken by the GLA or TFL into the Rotherhithe Crossing?

The Mayor: Initial cost-benefit analysis for the different crossing options was published as part of the information shared at the previous consultation that concluded last year (see https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/). Further analysis work is underway and I would be happy to share this with you once it has been completed.This would also be published as part of a future consultation on the scheme.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (2)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure house builders and housing providers incorporate dementia-friendly design principles in the properties over which you have some control?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan requires accessible housing standards to be met in both mainstream and specialist older persons housing developments; applying the Government-prescribed accessible housing standards, resulting in at least 10 per cent of new build dwellings being ‘wheelchair user dwellings’ and the rest being ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’. Both of these standards incorporate Dementia Friendly Design features from the outset, and in addition incorporate features to allow further adaptations to be undertaken easily, cheaply and quickly as people’s requirements change as the condition progresses.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (1)

Andrew Boff: How is your ambition for London to become a dementia-friendly capital city demonstrated, and reflected, in the London Plan?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan recognises that the total number of older people with dementia in London is forecast to rise from 73,825 in 2017 to 96,939 in 2029, an increase of 31 per cent. The draft Plan seeks to deliver Good Growth – growth that is economically and socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable – and, in line with the Alzheimer’s Societies’ Dementia Friendly Community principles and Dementia Friendly London aims, contains policy requirements for the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design to be met. These requirements apply to areas of public realm, places and spaces between buildings and in the creation of inclusive neighbourhoods. Specifically, requirements exist in the draft Plan for the creation of places and spaces that people can move around with ease, creating a welcoming environment that everyone can use confidently, independently and with choice and dignity. The importance of links to the wider neighbourhood, including networks of legible, logical, safe and navigable pedestrian routes is also highlighted. These London Plan requirements will thereforeplay a vital role in the creation of a Dementia Friendly London.

Concern hub

Navin Shah: What are the differences between the Metropolitan police’s new ‘Concern Hub’ and the previous ‘Gang Matrix’?

The Mayor: The Concern Hub is a multi-agency diversion initiative, not a replacement for the MPS’ Gangs Matrix or the Gangs Matrix in another name. The Met, in collaboration with Lewisham Council, is developing a new multi-agency diversion initiative called The Concern Hub. This pilot, due to launch in Lewisham this month (May 2019) aims to safeguard young people at significant risk of becoming involved in violence, drugs, or gang activity.
Further detail on the Concern Hub is set out under Mayor's Question 2019/8882.

Minimum Wage compliance

Tony Devenish: What discussions have you had with Sir David Metcalf, the Minimum Wage enforcer regarding compliance , especially SME compliance in London ?

The Mayor: My team met with Sir David Metcalf to discuss Minimum Wage enforcement in London in 2018.
I believe businesses should pay workers the wages they are entitled to by law in the UK, and it is important that this is properly enforced. However, I have been clear that I would like to see all Londoners paid at least the London Living Wage and I have put this at the heart of my Good Work Standard.

Removal of dangerous cladding

Andrew Dismore: What progress is being made with the removal of dangerous cladding from private blocks?

The Mayor: Data released by the Government indicate that the removal of dangerous cladding from private sector blocks has been very slow. As of April 2019, 266 private sector blocks (comprising residentials blocks, hotels, and student accommodation) have been identified with unsafe ACM cladding, and around half of these blocks will be in London. Out of these: 43 have had their cladding removed; 21 have begun remediation work; 121 have a remediation plan in place but works have not started; 41 have reported an intent to remediate and are developing plans, and 40 have no clear remediation plans.

Air Quality Monitoring in Residential Areas Near Bus Depots

Jennette Arnold: Does Transport for London routinely monitor air pollution into and out of bus garages in residential areas?

The Mayor: No. The main responsibility for measuring air pollution in residential areas rests with London’s boroughs. However, cutting air pollution is a key priority for Transport for London (TfL). TfL encourages its bus operators to be good neighbours and keep vehicle emissions to a minimum.
TfL’s main focus is to reduce pollution from its vehicles at source by bringing the entire bus fleet up to at least the ultra-clean Euro VI engine emission standard. It is three quarters of the way there, and is on schedule to complete its vehicle retrofitting and replacement programme next year. Bringing its London-wide fleet of over 9,000 buses up to this standard will cut the most harmful tailpipe emissions by up to 80 per cent. TfL is also developing plans to have a zero-tailpipe-emission fleet by 2037 at the latest, which will remove vehicle emissions altogether.

Joint inspection of tower blocks

Andrew Dismore: Changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System have now been passed by Parliament, which came into force on 23 January this year Joint inspection from fire and rescue services, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities are now able to enforce removal of dangerous cladding. What progress is being made in setting up teams in London?

The Mayor: The national Government has asked the Local Government Association to take a lead on setting up the Joint Inspection Team. It will be a multidisciplinary taskforce to support local authorities in taking enforcement action against inactive building owners.
The taskforce was announced in June 2018; progress has been slow, though we are told it should be up and running in the next couple of months. Once it is set up, ministers must make sure the team has the power and resources it needs to be effective.

Extinction Rebellion (1)

Peter Whittle: You encouraged the Extinction Rebellion protests in the week before Easter, with arrested demonstrators claiming that their actions were effectively endorsed by you Tweeting: ‘We’re facing a climate emergency. I fully support the right of protesters to protest on this vital issue and urge organisers to work with police to ensure their demonstrations are peaceful and lawful and that disruption is kept to a minimum.’ However, the UK contributes a tiny fraction of global carbon emissions, just 1% and falling. By contrast, China produces 29% of the world’s CO2 emissions. How much responsibility you are going to shoulder for these demonstrations, which effectively held the West End to ransom for a week, disrupted the lives of thousands of Londoners and cost businesses millions of pounds in lost earnings?

The Mayor: I support the democratic right to peaceful and lawful protest, but the recent protests, some of which were unlawful, placed an enormous burden on our already overstretched and under resourced police. However, I share the protesters’ passion about tackling climate change and I absolutely agree that we need to do much more as a country, and fast.
Although the UK currently contributes just 1 per centof global greenhouse gas emissions, CO2 emissions are long lived. As the UK was one of the first industrialised countries, it has made a large historical contribution to these long-lived emissions, which it now has an ongoing responsibility to reduce. In addition, the UK has an opportunity to take a leadership role in demonstrating to other countries on how to tackle climate change. I have already adopted a target for London to be zero-carbon by 2050 and introduced the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Garden Bridge Trust

Caroline Pidgeon: In recent correspondence David Holdsworth, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Charity Commission stated that he wrote to the Commissioner of Transport for London to ascertain whether TfL had any concerns over expenditure or governance. This was in order to ensure Trustees were complying with their legal and contractual duties and to determine any regulatory issues. He stated: “We received a response stating that they did not.” As part of your commitment to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration will you publish in full all correspondence between TfL and the Charity Commission?

The Mayor: A representative from the Charity Commission wrote to the Commissioner of Transport on 13 July 2018, and the Commissioner replied on 17 July 2018. Both letters have been appended to this answer and I note these were sent to you by the Commissioner himself on 19 July 2018.
There are no other substantive communications between Transport for London and the Charity Commission in respect of the Garden Bridge.

Section 21

Sian Berry: I hope that you will be welcoming news that the Government is proposing to end no-fault section 21 evictions and responding to the consultation to urge that this is brought in as soon as possible. Further to my London Assembly motion on 5 July 2018, will you also join me in calling on Government to immediately suspend section 21 to prevent pre-emptive notices being served by landlords during the consultation and implementation period?
Link to motion:https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/assembly/stop-landlords-evicting-tenants-without-reason

The Mayor: I am pleased the Government has finally responded to the coalition of voices, including mine and yours, who have been calling for reforms to security of tenure for private renters for many years. My officers will continue to engage with Government officials about the detail of the proposals and their implementation, including urging them to consider transition arrangements to support vulnerable tenants and prevent the kind of impacts you refer to ahead of its introduction.

Information on estate regeneration projects on the GLA website

Sian Berry: Information about positive ballots and GLA-approved exemptions was last added to the GLA website in December 2018. How often is new information added to these web pages?

The Mayor: Published information about positive ballots and approved exemptions was last updated on the estate regeneration data web page in April 2019. The GLA will update the publications on this web page once per quarter.

Reporting of accessible housing in the London Development Database

Sian Berry: Accessible housing is only reported overall for each development and not for each individual home in the London Development Database, making it hard to analyse, for example, the number of accessible family homes being built. Will you ensure that more detailed analysis is possible in any new London Development Database data structure and reporting tools?

The Mayor: The new London Development Database system will be based around the planning information data standard, the draft of which includes monitoring of the optional building regulations accessible housing standards M4(2) Accessible and adaptable dwellings and M4(3) Wheelchair user dwellings (wheelchair accessible and wheelchair adaptable) at unit level, making it possible to analyse the provision of accessible housing by, for example, type or size of home. I will be working with the Government, London’s planning authorities and software suppliers to ensure that this forms part of the final data standard.

Housing initiatives to support the rehabilitation of offenders

Sian Berry: What specific housing initiatives do you have to support the rehabilitation of ex-offenders?

The Mayor: The Homelessness Reduction Act places an obligation on prison and probation services to refer ex-offenders to councils if they are at risk of homelessness. As outlined in my London Housing Strategy and Rough Sleeping Plan of Action, we are pressing Government to provide adequate funding to help councils address the issue and provide accommodation for ex-offenders. In addition, many of the rough sleeping services that I commission will help ex-offenders.

High Standards for T-Levels

Jennette Arnold: There are concerns that T-Levels may not have a perceived parity with academic qualifications. What can be done within the Greater London Authority to ensure that T-Levels are delivered in London to a high standard and that T-Level graduates have access to skilled labour markets?

The Mayor: It is vital that young Londoners have access to high quality post-16 study choices, including T-levels, that support progression to higher level jobs, training and learning. T-levels will be rolled out nationally in stages, which provides an opportunity to build their reputation in London and ensure that appropriate advice and guidance is given to young people, parents, providers and employers. In London, around a quarter of students enter university with a BTEC, and this is higher for BAME students, particularly black students. It is important that T-levels support non-A level routes into university and demonstrate parity with academic provision.
The industry placement aspect of T-levels will be key to providing high standards of provision and increasing access to jobs post study. While I welcome the additional package of support for employers recently announced by the Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds, ensuring that employers have sufficient funding to support the administration of placements remains a concern. I have noted this in my response to the Government’s consultation on the proposed Funding Methodology for T-levels.

LEAP Funds

Andrew Boff: How many different pots of funding does LEAP have, that people and businesses can bid for?

The Mayor: The London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP) has oversight of a range of funds and support programmes that are available to people and businesses. These include:

MPS Dauntless+

Susan Hall: For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, please provide the number of people identified in the MPS Dauntless+ programme

The Mayor: Operation Dauntless+ criteria identifies individuals who have appeared as a suspect or accused within a domestic abuse flagged crime report against three or more separately named individuals, in three of more London boroughs, over the last three years.
It is not possible to identify within a reasonable timeframe the exact number of people identified in the Operation Dauntless+ programme for each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19. This is due to the way in which the process runs, which is to maintain a rolling cohort of offenders, so detailed checks would be required, examining each individual record for each month to avoid double counting.
Data to identify these individuals as above is run each month rather than by year and assessed in terms of the recency, frequency & gravity of their offending before sharing data with local BCUs. The total number of individuals highlighted to local BCUs fluctuates slightly but remains at around 600 individuals each month.

Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre development

Andrew Boff: What were the "pro-business" reasons for permitting the Elephant & Castle redevelopment which will result in half the small businesses there losing their premises?

The Mayor: The proposals will deliver significant regeneration benefits for the site and wider area, including an enhanced campus for the London College of Communications and a new ticket hall for the Northern Line, as well as enabling the delivery of the Bakerloo Line Extension.
I’m aware that the proposals will affect a number of existing traders, and my officers worked with Southwark Council to ensure that there is a robust relocation strategy in place for those affected.
The legally-secured relocation strategy includes temporary relocation space immediately next to the site to be provided before the shopping centre closes, and the provision of business advice, financial support and a database of relocation opportunities within the surrounding area.
Compared to the existing site, the development will result in an uplift in retail space, and 10 per cent of this retail space would be provided below market rates. Following my officers' intervention, this affordable retail space will now be secured for an extended 15-year period, to support local businesses and communities.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (5)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure dementia friendly design principles are incorporated into Transport for London infrastructure projects?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan seeks to deliver Good Growth – growth that is economically and socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable – and, in line with the Alzheimer’s Societies’ Dementia Friendly Community principles and Dementia Friendly London aims, contains policy requirements for the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design to be met. These requirements apply to all development proposals, including TfL infrastructure projects, which should in turn contribute to the creation of inclusive neighbourhoods, creating networks of legible, logical, safe and navigable pedestrian routes and spaces that people can move around with ease, creating a welcoming environment that everyone can use confidently, independently and with choice and dignity.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (7)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure Inclusive Design principles explicitly consider the accessibility needs of people with cognitive impairment, as well as those with physical disabilities?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan seeks to deliver Good Growth – growth that is economically and socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable – and, in line with the Alzheimer’s Societies’ Dementia Friendly Community principles and Dementia Friendly London aims, contains policy requirements for the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design to be met. An inclusive design approach takes into account the requirements of people with a range of disabilities or impairments, not just people with physical impairments.
Policy D3 Inclusive design signposts the British Standard guidance BS8300:2018 Design of an accessible and inclusive environment, which provides the latest national design guidance. This guidance explains that ‘efforts have been made to include reference to people’s neurological requirements in this revision and extension of BS 8300; however, further work is required in this area.’ In recognition of this, Policy D3 also states that ‘The Mayor will assist boroughs and other agencies in implementing an inclusive design approach by…continuing to contribute to the development of national technical standards’.
When new national design guidance on this matter is produced, developments will need to follow the guidance to meet the requirements of Policy D3.

People's Vote TFL

Andrew Boff: What is the total amount of money the people's vote campaign have spent on advertising on TFL?

The Mayor: The People’s Vote campaign has run three commercial campaigns on the Transport for London (TfL) network. The respective commercial advertising rate card values for these commercial campaigns were £40,114.80, £15,976 and £74,000, giving an advertising rate card value across the campaigns of £130,090.80.
The actual price paid by The People’s Vote is subject to negotiations with our advertising partner. This information is commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed.

Disposable Nappies

Andrew Boff: Would the Mayor commit to working with boroughs to encourage them to take up reusable nappy schemes as currently only nine are doing so?

The Mayor: I am working with boroughs to promote all waste reduction and as part of my London Environment Strategy, all boroughs are required to submit a Reduction and Recycling Plan (RRP) by 2020. These will demonstrate how boroughs will reduce waste and make an effective contribution to my London-wide recycling targets. Actions such as the introduction of reusable nappy schemes are encouraged.
The London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) are also providing support to boroughs to produce their RRPs and reduce waste. Through the Advance London programme LWARB have supported and promoted Nappy Zap, an on-demand waste collection service for households focusing on disposable nappies to divert them from landfill to recycling, and Gcycle, a company who produce free nappies that are collected and then converted into valuable resources like soil, power and fuel.

Estate ballots

Andrew Boff: With 78% of the 73% of residents who responded to Lambeth Council’s survey opposed to the demolition of Central Hill Estate, does the Mayor believe that the consultation undertaken by Lambeth Council provides an appropriate mandate for this demolition to go ahead without a residents’ ballot?

The Mayor: If Lambeth council seeks to access funding from my affordable homes programme for estate regeneration plans at Central Hill estate which involve demolition of existing housing and which meet the other criteria in my guidance, it would be required to hold a ballot or to apply successfully for an exemption from the ballot requirement.

Fighting Racism in Football

Unmesh Desai: I welcome that you have signed ‘The Times’ manifesto to fight racism in football. What role do you think sporting organisations can play in leading community inclusion activities as well as anti-racism and other anti-discrimination activities?

The Mayor: I am proud to have signed The Times manifesto to fight racism in football. I am committed to tackling racism and discrimination in sport at all levels. 

Community sport projects can play a key role in bringing communities together, and in delivering activities specifically aimed at challenging racism and discrimination. ‘Sport Unites, my flagship £8.8m community sport investment programme is about using the power of community sport to bring people from different backgrounds together and address differences. My goal is for London to be the first city in the world to maximise the potential of sport to improve social integration as well as improving activity and mental health.
I have funded projects such as Maslaha’s Muslim Girls Fence, which is challenging the stereotypes that Muslim girls face, and Football Beyond Borders, with the majority of staff and participants of multi-ethnic backgrounds, they use the power of football as a positive educational tool to inspire and challenge stereotypes of young people in London.

Air Quality

Tony Devenish: How is the Mayor going to improve air quality in Marylebone if Heathrow are allowed to execute their recent flight stacking consultation with up to 49 extra flights an hour?

The Mayor: Heathrow’s recent airspace and future operations consultation was part of a protracted and confusing process that seemed to be intended to entrench the choices that HAL has made and is making, including banking the benefits of unrelated technology and airspace changes, that will inevitably lead to a severe worsening of noise and other impacts.
My Deputy Mayor’s response to the Heathrow airspace and future operations consultation was clear that she, and I, are deeply concerned by the proposal to allow as many as 25,000 additional annual movements on the existing two runways, especially as this would be in addition to the proposed third runway.
Furthermore, the consultation gave no indication of how the impacts of these additional flights on the surface access network, and consequently on air quality, would be managed or reduced.
I am committed to addressing the problem of London’s toxic air and the serious health consequences that result. That is why I remain so concerned by Heathrow expansion, whether two runways or three, and the deeply flawed basis on which it is being taken forward. Even if Heathrow Airport can meet the Government’s National Policy Statement (NPS) targets, a third runway could result in 40,000 additional vehicles on London’s roads every day. That is why I challenged the NPS in court, with air quality central to our case.
While the legal challenge was initially unsuccessful, in a significant legal and policy win for London, compliance with air quality limits was described as the ‘reddest of red lines’ by the Court. As a result of the Mayor’s legal challenge, planning permission for a third runway must be refused if it will result in the UK’s air quality obligations being breached.
In addition to challenging the NPS, I am also taking direct action to clean up London’s air. As a result of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), we expect to see a 45 per cent reduction in NOx emissions from road transport in central London. Also as part of the ULEZ, all buses entering central London have met the strict Euro VI emissions standard from April this year. By the end of the year all double decker buses entering central London will meet an additional Hybrid standard and by 2020 all single decker buses will be zero emission at tailpipe.
Through my Air Quality Fund, I have also supported the Marylebone Low Emission Neighbourhood. Transport for London will be investigating further measures to reduce air pollution on Marylebone Road in particular, but this task will be made significantly harder should the third runway be built.
I will continue to do all I can to ensure that a third runway at Heathrow does not undermine all am I doing to improve air quality for Londoners.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (6)

Steve O'Connell: What would be any future use of TfL’s WebCAT in relation to density, if the London Plan density matrix is removed?

The Mayor: WebCAT contains two ways of measuring transport connectivity:
It is publicly available and is used by professional planners, developers and the general public, and supports policies in the London Plan. As my Transport Strategy promotes the switch towards sustainable modes, there will be a continuing need for WebCAT, to guide decisions and embed the Healthy Streets Approach.
Policy D6 Optimising Density in the draft London Plan (currently being examined) requires particular consideration be given to a site’s connectivity and accessibility by walking, cycling, and existing and planned public transport to jobs and services. This includes both PTAL and access to local services.

BAME Beneficiaries of the Mayor of London’s Funding to the British Fashion Council (1)

Jennette Arnold: How have London Fashion Designers of BAME heritage benefited from the funding given by the Mayor of London to the British Fashion Council?

The Mayor: The UK fashion industry contributes £32 billion and 890,000 jobs to the UK, with much of the fashion industry based in London. It is important that London supports designers and delivers effective trade platforms which generate millions of pounds in sales and orders for UK creative businesses.It is also very important that London’s fashion workforce reflects the diversity of London. British Fashion Council’s Positive Fashion initiative is making inroads to increasing diversity in the sector.
I am funding the British Fashion Council with £649,000 each year from 2017/18 to 2020/21 to support this work and help retain and develop London’s position as a world leading capital of fashion.As part of that, I co-fund the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme which is a designer development scheme supporting emerging talent to build the global, fashion brands of the future. The scheme gives designers opportunities to show or present at London Fashion Week and/or London Fashion Week Men’s. Of the current cohort of NEWGEN designers, 45 per centare of BAME heritage.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (7)

Steve O'Connell: Would you agree that removing the density matrix is in contravention of NPPF paragraphs 16 and 122 as:
a. It is removing a useful digital tool to assist public and community involvement;
b. It is removing a clearly written and unambiguous policy which was clear evidence how a decision maker should react to development proposals?

The Mayor: No. Paragraphs 16 and 122 of the NPPF (2018) do not mention or advocate the use of a matrix as a suitable tool to determine acceptable density levels. The matrix is not a digital tool; it is a table, which requires a qualitative assessment of the site to determine its matrix setting. The matrix included a set of numbers that communicated little about the nature of a future development to the public. The density ranges in the matrix have been mistakenly assumed to be a proxy for sustainability and, also wrongly, that the ranges in the matrix generated a form of development that would sensitively respond to its surroundings.

Live facial recognition technology trial in Romford (3)

Sian Berry: In answer to my question 2019/6099 you told me: “The Met Police assure me that people objecting to the use of this technology have not been treated as suspects.” However, according to witness accounts, as reported by the Independent on 31 January 2019, several people were stopped for covering their faces, contrary to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) public guidance: “Anyone can refuse to be scanned; it’s not an offence or considered ‘obstruction’ to actively avoid being scanned.” Do you share my concern that MPS guidelines appear to have been breached?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) assure me that its guidelines have not been breached. Officers are briefed that avoiding the technology on its own is not reason to stop someone – The MPS make it clear that it is not compulsory to be viewed by the cameras. However, police officers have discretion to engage with members of the public on any deployment

Adult Education Budget Framework Consultation Responses

Jennette Arnold: How many responses have you received to the consultation on the Adult Education Budget framework consultation, and how many of these responses were from sector institutions or leaders? When can we expect a consultation outcome?

The Mayor: The GLA received 75 responses to the Skills for Londoners Framework consultation, which closed on 20 May 2019. There has been a broad range of responses from further education colleges, local authorities, independent training providers and voluntary organisations. A summary report of the consultation will be published in autumn 2019.

Providing Affordable Childcare in Adult Education Facilities

Jennette Arnold: Will you be encouraging education facilities benefiting from your Adult Education Budget to provide affordable childcare facilities, to allow parents to access education?

The Mayor: I am acutely aware of the barriers that access to high-quality early education and childcare can pose to participation in adult education and training. Although education and training providers funded through the Adult Education Budget (AEB) are not required to provide childcare facilities, I will be providing Learner Support funding through the AEB for Londoners to access childcare funding where they are at risk of not starting or continuing learning because of childcare costs. I am looking to widen the availability of this funding to ensure it reaches more learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I have also funded Early Years Hubs, bringing together early years providers to collaborate and improve the access to and quality of early years provision for the most disadvantaged families. The Hubs aim to boost the take-up of early years education and childcare support entitlements.

Workers Memorial Day 2019 (2)

Onkar Sahota: Research collated by the TUC shows that across time, place and sector, the presence of an active trade union makes workplaces safer. What steps have you taken to ensure that your construction skills academy, and other Greater London Authority funded programmes and projects, promote safe working practices?

The Mayor: Trade Unions played a key role in shaping the development of the Mayor’s Construction Academy (MCA) through consultation. The MCA is providing coordination activities to better align construction training provision and employment opportunities across London; discussion around safe working practices will be incorporated to quarterly hub network workshops which will focus on sharing best practice and lessons learned.
Furthermore, Trade Unions have helped shape my Good Work Standard initiative which includes criteria encouraging employers to engage and collaborate with Trade Unions. These criteria cover aspects such as collective bargaining, employee voice, health and safety as well as training opportunities and help employers towards meeting and gaining Good Work Standard accreditation.

Medcity and the public good (2)

Onkar Sahota: What steps have you taken to increase the number of workers from disadvantaged backgrounds hired by firms participating in the MedCity scheme?

The Mayor: MedCity is a small, independent organisation providing a single front door for industry and investors looking for partners in the life sciences sector.
My officers will continue to liaise with partners and stakeholders, including MedCity, to identify opportunities to support Mayoral initiatives to inspire more young Londoners to consider a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
My London scientist programme is working with the British Science Association (BSA) to boost the number of young Londoners achieving the CREST award - the top accreditation scheme for schools in the country, providing national recognition for STEM projects.
Throughout 2019, I am funding over 5,000 London students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM to gain a CREST Award.

MedCity and the public good (1)

Onkar Sahota: How will you support insights and research from MedCity projects to support public health programmes?

The Mayor: MedCity has worked with NHS England, NHS Digital, NICE and Public Health England to develop the first standards framework for digital technologies. The framework will help companies develop evidenced technologies that are applicable to the healthcare system, helping to meet the needs of the NHS and patients.
MedCity is also working with organisations including the One London Local Health and Care Record Exemplar and the Health Data Research UK London hub to explore the case for a Digital Innovation Hub. If supported, this will provide invaluable access to health data to support public health research and development.
My officers will continue to work with MedCity to identify opportunities to improve the health of Londoners.

Central Line

David Kurten: When will TfL install cameras on the Central Line to cut down the number of alleged sexual assaults?

The Mayor: I want to assure you that Transport for London (TfL) and the police are doing everything they can to keep customers safe on the transport network. The Central line is a priority for the British Transport Police (BTP), with regular plain clothes and uniformed officer patrols - and specialist operations - taking place to target the areas with the highest volume of reports. There are around 3,000 police and police community support officers dedicated to policing the transport network, working to keep Londoners safe.
TfL is taking action to introduce CCTV on the Central line as soon as possible as part of a major improvement programme to make trains more reliable and accessible. As part of this program, on train CCTV will be fitted starting from 2020, and will be on all trains by 2023.
On train CCTV is one of many tools that the police have to investigate sexual offences. These include station CCTV (there are 12,000 cameras across the Tube network), Oyster card data and witness statements.

Extinction Rebellion (3)

Peter Whittle: To ask the Mayor how much businesses in the West End lost in takings because of the Extinction Rebellion protests in the run-up to Easter?

The Mayor: There is no comprehensive and publicly accessible data available to the GLA at this time that would allow an accurate calculation of the loss in takings, and costs of transient and localised business disruption caused by the protests, although various reports during the period of the protests quoted various daily figures.

Extinction Rebellion (2)

Peter Whittle: In the week before Easter, hundreds of protestors from Extinction Rebellion disrupted the daily lives of many thousands of Londoners. I note that the full force of the law was not applied, with these self-righteous attention seekers returning to continue their protests. Film of Police officers dancing and skateboarding in the streets with protestors will do nothing to improve the image of the Metropolitan Police with the general public, given that they are supposed to be impartial upholders of the law, rather than what many would see as virtue signallers in uniform. Why was the initial police response to these protests and the inconvenience they caused to Londoners so feeble?

The Mayor: On the basis that “The Extinction Rebellion Protest” was a non-violent and peaceful protest, it was dealt with proportionately in line with the legislative framework available to the police.
Highway obstruction is an offence. However, when policing protest activity, we have an obligation to balance our policing response with those fundamental rights that exist under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (Freedom of Expression / Freedom of Assembly and Association). There is an expectation that individuals should be permitted to exercise these rights by way of peaceful protest. Police can intervene if there is a likelihood of serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community, resulting from protest activity.
During the protest and once the threshold for serious disruption was met, Section 14 Public Order Act 1986 conditions were imposed at each location occupied by protestors. This legislation directed protestors to an alternative location where they were permitted to continue their static protest. Unfortunately, the imposition of conditions were unsuccessful as a deterrent because protestors actively sought arrest as a means of furthering their cause. More than 1100 people were arrested during this protest which further demonstrates the extent to which this event was policed appropriately.
The conduct of the officers described above was inappropriate and has since been dealt with by local managers.

Tube noise [3]

Andrew Dismore: Why have Transport for London refused to enable the friction modifier installed at Finchley Central? Have they ensured the noise will not get even worse when the southbound track is upgraded? If so, how? Is it written into the engineering contract to ensure this (unlike last time)?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) took noise measurements inside properties near Finchley Central earlier this year. These readings confirmed that the additional lubrication applied to the northbound track near the curve at Finchley Central was effective in reducing noise levels by around 10dB.
A friction modifier has been installed in this area. However, TfL identified a safety concern following testing of train braking so does not plan to activate it. it.
TfL’s contractors deliver in accordance with track construction standards set out by TfL, using TfL approved materials. This ensures that noise and vibration levels are kept as low as is practicable.
If residents are experiencing an increase in noise disturbance they can contact TfL’s Customer Service Centre on 0343 222 1234 or at tfl.gov.uk/contact

Tube noise [4]

Andrew Dismore: How are Transport for London monitoring the effectiveness of lubrication installed on the tracks at Finchley Central? Residents still report that trains travelling along the corner near the station still screech. Can residents get direct or live visibility on noise measurements and lubricant application times?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) took noise measurements inside properties close to Finchley Central earlier this year. These readings confirmed the additional lubrication was effective in reducing noise levels by around 10dB. Following further recent complaints, TfL is arranging further measurements.
The lubricant is applied each time the tube wheels go over the lubricator located at the affected area, which occurs several hundred times per day.
If residents are experiencing an increase in noise disturbance they can contact TfL’s Customer Service Centre on 0343 222 1234 or at tfl.gov.uk/contact

Estate regeneration balloting (2)

Tom Copley: Do you know of any other councils that are not seeking or turning down Greater London Authority funding in order to avoid an Estate Regeneration Ballot that would be a condition of that funding?

The Mayor: Councils do not need to provide a reason when they do not bid for my funding. However, the planning application by Wandsworth Council to demolish and rebuild the York Road Estate and part of the Winstanley Estate recently came to the GLA and I was disappointed to learn the council has not bid for my affordable homes funding for this project, as this could increase the level of affordable housing in the rebuilt estate beyond what is possible through the planning process alone. Personally, I was concerned it seemed the council may have been avoiding my funding as they are unwilling to undertake a ballot.

Leasehold (2)

Tom Copley: In the light of the new data in the recent House of Commons briefing paper on leasehold tenure, will the Mayor publish updated figures to show the total number of leaseholders in London? It would be helpful if this information could published on a borough and constituency basis and if the figures could show whether the freeholder was a local authority, housing association or a private freeholder.

The Mayor: The data within the recent House of Commons briefing paper is informed by MHCLG estimates of the number of leasehold dwellings in England.
While MHCLG has published experimental estimates of the number of leasehold dwellings in England as a whole, the statistical release does not include any sub-national data. The GLA does not collect or hold any equivalent figures for London.
GLA officers have written to MHCLG officials about this issue. They have advised that the Government is exploring ways to improve the method for collating data for the next publication, which is planned for September 2019. This includes exploring whether it is possible to provide reliable estimates of the number of leasehold dwellings at a regional level.

Additional Mayoral Funding for Violence Against Women and Girls Services

Unmesh Desai: How will the additional £15m you announced for Violence Against Women and Girls services in February 2019 improve the support services available to survivors of VAWG?
https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayors-15m-boost-to-tackle-violence

The Mayor: The overarching premise of the fund is to tackle the issues facing service providers and provide much needed additional support to survivors, with the majority of the fund being distributed in this financial year. MOPAC funded Rape Crisis Centres, Integrated Victim and Witness Service (domestic abuse element) and the London Sexual Assault and Referral Centres (SARC) have received an immediate additional investment of £1.35million to maintain existing services, manage an increase in demand and modernise existing services, this additional funding will see 700 more women able to access timely support. The remainder of the fund will sustain programmes of innovation, develop the commissioning and funding arrangements within the VAWG sector, extend the reach and quality of services offered to survivors with protected characteristics and strengthen the overall capacity of the sector to work with survivors.

The Role of Civilian Investigators

Unmesh Desai: What role do you believe Civilian Investigators should be playing in the Metropolitan Police Service given the loss of police officers and staff as a result of the Government’s austerity policies since 2010?

The Mayor: Police staff – including civilian investigators, play a vital role in supporting frontline officers.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has recently taken the decision to recruit around 200 Police Staff Investigators with designated powers. These members of staff will provide additional resilience in the Violent Crime Task Force, specialist murder teams, proactive and reactive crime teams and safeguarding teams.
Designated powers include conducting interviews, seizing evidence, obtaining warrants and taking statements. They will not have powers of arrest or detention. Many of these staff may be retired police officers who will bring extensive experience and additional capability. This, in turn, will free up warranted police officer time.

Glyphosate

Leonie Cooper: As a follow up to question 2018/2148, can the Mayor provide an update on Transport for London’s progress sourcing suitable safe alternatives to glyphosate?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to work with suppliers and contractors to explore safer alternatives for weed treatment.
Towards the end of last year, TfL carried out a successful trial using electrocides, an environmentally safe, non-chemical technique that kills weeds by transferring a strong electric current through them. Since this trial, TfL has worked with the supplier to further adapt this technique to its network, and a second trial will be carried out by the end of March 2019.
TfL is also investigating with suppliers a second method for environmentally safe weed control, the application of hot foam. This trial is still at an early stage, and I have asked TfL to keep your office informed of progress.
Where chemicals are currently used, TfL abides by legislation to ensure their safe use.

School Air Quality Audits

Andrew Dismore: When will you be conducting your next set of school air quality audits? Will you consider undertaking one at Martin School in East Finchley, where air quality monitoring equipment was recently installed, and showed a reading of 46.2ug/m3, which is well above the legal limit set by the EU of 40ug/m3.?

The Mayor: In 2017 I took early action at schools located in areas with some of the highest air pollution levels through an audits programme. I have also provided starter grants to deliver the resulting recommendations.
Whilst I funded the first 50 school air quality audits, I have asked London boroughs to roll them out so that every school located in an area of high air pollution can benefit from this approach. To help do this a school air quality audit toolkit has been produced. I have also changed the rules so boroughs can use their TfL Local Implementation Plan funding to help undertake audits and deliver any recommendations.
I agree that Martin School would benefit from an air quality audit and would encourage the London Borough of Barnet to work with the school and local community to deliver one.

Tube noise [1]

Andrew Dismore: Tube noise has not been reduced sufficiently for a number of residents, who have suffered ground borne noise well in excess of 50Db, in some case for several years and in one case rendering the property uninhabitable. in such cases will you now consider compensating residents, if necessary buying their property?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) understands the importance of minimising noise levels for its neighbours and is determined to do more to achieve it. TfL is focussing its efforts on tackling tube noise and vibration at source, not through compensation. It has carried out works near over 200 homes most affected by noise, installing thousands of new track fastenings, hundreds of metres of new track, grinding rails and removing rail joints where no longer necessary.Where current technology does not reduce noise levels, TfL will continue working with suppliers and academics to innovate and develop new technology to reduce noise levels across the network.

Special constables 2

Keith Prince: How much does it cost the Metropolitan Police to train a special constable?

The Mayor: It currently costs around £2,500 to train a Special Constable.

Dementia friendly London and the London Plan (6)

Andrew Boff: How will the London Plan ensure town centres are accessible to, and inclusive of, those with cognitive impairment, as well as those with physical disabilities?

The Mayor: The draft London Plan seeks to deliver Good Growth – growth that is economically and socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable – and, in line with the Alzheimer’s Societies’ Dementia Friendly Community principles and Dementia Friendly London aims contains policy requirements for the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design to be met. Specifically, the draft Plan includes requirements for the creation of places and spaces that people can move around with ease, creating a welcoming environment that everyone can use confidently, independently and with choice and dignity. The importance of links to the wider neighbourhood, including networks of legible, logical, safe and navigable pedestrian routes is also highlighted.
Policy E9 specifically requires development proposals to support convenience retail in all town centres, and particularly in District, Local and Neighbourhood centres, to help secure inclusive neighbourhoods.
These London Plan requirements will therefore play a vital role in the creation of a Dementia Friendly London, and of town centres that are inclusive for people with a range of impairments, including cognitive impairments and neurodiverse conditions.

C1 Bus

Tony Devenish: Will you advise the Assembly of the frequency and capacity of the C1 bus White City to Victoria Station? Given many of my constituents report that this bus is almost empty by the time it reaches Belgravia, would TfL consider reducing the size of this bus?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) reduced the frequency on route C1 from six to five buses per hour in July 2017. Capacity has been reviewed since then and is well matched to demand at the busiest point (Earl’s Court station) towards Victoria in the morning peak. Reducing the size of the bus would create crowding on route C1.

Motorcycle and Scooter Noise

Tony Devenish: I received the following question from a constituent: With the proliferation of Uber Eats and Deliveroo there seems to be a large increase in motorcycle and scooter use and associated noise in London. The drivers seem to take little care in maintaining their engines and rev them loudly in the night-time hours when most people are sleeping. Similarly, there are many "super cars" on the road which seem to be specially configured to produce enormous noise probably for the sole purpose of getting attention. Can something be done to crack down on this behaviour which disrupts ordinary residents?

The Mayor: The external noise emitted by passenger vehicles is controlled under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended. All vehicles are required to meet strict noise limits before they are permitted to enter into service and it is illegal to modify the exhaust system of a vehicle to make it noisier than that permitted for the vehicle type.
For vehicles with modified exhausts, it is a legal requirement for a motor vehicle to have an effective silencer and for pollution control equipment to be fully functional. Both of these elements are covered by a vehicle’s annual MOT inspection.
The responsibility for this type of enforcement lies with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the police. They carry out spot checks and intelligence-led enforcement to address the issue.
More broadly, my Transport Strategy sets out how Transport for London, working with the boroughs, will reduce the number of Londoners exposed to excessive noise from road transport. This includes reducing traffic volumes by encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport and supporting the uptake of low and zero emission vehicles for example.

Tube Noise Letter - Response

Tony Devenish: Residents of Devonshire Close and Devonshire Street sent TfL a letter on 29th October 2018 with concrete proposals to deal with the unacceptable levels of Tube noise they suffer. Do you think it’s acceptable that they had yet to receive a full response by the end of April this year?

The Mayor: I understand that the Managing Director of London Underground’s office wrote to the residents’ representative on 25 February 2019 explaining that recent rail improvement works had reduced noise and an update would be provided on any future planned work. The challenge of using resilient track fixings at the site, as suggested by the resident, was also explained.
Transport for London (TfL) is currently assessing if there are any future mitigations that could be carried out to further reduce noise to properties that may still be affected.
I have asked TfL to provide you and the residents’ representative with an update regarding Devonshire Close and Devonshire Street within 10 working days.

Number 10 bus route

Tony Devenish: A number of my constituents have complained to me about the 23 bus route and have made clear they believes the old 10 bus route was far superior. Will you consult on bringing back the number 10 bus route?

The Mayor: Following a public consultation, Transport for London (TfL) merged bus route 23 with route 10 (which has been withdrawn) to provide a link between Hammersmith and Westbourne Park via Marble Arch. TfL is aware of local concerns about the length of the newly configured route 23 and is actively engaging with local councillors and stakeholders about these.
The bus route changes were made as part of plans to reduce the number of buses on Oxford Street to improve the pedestrian environment.
While there are no plans to consult on this route in the near future, TfL welcomes the feedback of its customers and regularly reviews the way the bus network operates. TfL will continue to consider feedback received about the route when making any future changes.

Crossrail (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: Following the recent confirmation of the extensive delay in the completion of the central section of Crossrail are any legal actions being taken against any contractors or suppliers for not fulfilling their agreed contracts?

The Mayor: No formal legal proceedings have currently been issued against any contractors or suppliers. Investigations into CRL’s potential remedies against individual contractors or suppliers are subject to legal privilege and must remain confidential.

Protecting London’s Art & Culture (1)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you have worked with boroughs to promote and protect London’s libraries, community centres, and suburban arts venues?

The Mayor: London’s libraries, community centres and arts venues nurture grassroots talent and provide space for communities to come together. They offer vital activities for young people whilst government cuts continue to close more than 100 youth centres across London. They face further risks, from development to rising rents.
That is why I have strengthened protections for culture in my draft new London Plan and launched London Borough of Culture, which has provided eight local authorities with £3.7 million to invest in culture on Londoners’ doorsteps.
Through my Good Growth Fund, I am investing millions in community projects including Bedford House Community Centre, Wood Green Library Project, Lea Bridge Library and Harrow Arts Centre.
I have mapped such venues for the first time, providing data to help City Hall, councils and developers protect them as part of my Cultural Infrastructure Plan. My Culture at Risk Office has also worked with over 350 cases such as Watermans Arts Centre in Hounslow.

Protecting London’s Art & Culture (2)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you have worked with boroughs to promote and protect London’s heritage venues and listed buildings often under threat of closure because of funding cuts?

The Mayor: Four out of five tourists say culture is their main reason for visiting London and the capital’s world-leading heritage and historic environment is a key element of this.
For the first time ever, my draft new London Plan has a chapter on Heritage and Culture, which means local authorities will have to consider heritage and its contribution to local character when developing planning policies. This will help ensure the city’s heritage is protected.
My Good Growth Fund also protects heritage and supports conservation. It is investing in the future of heritage venues and listed buildings across London, including the Ragged School Museum in Tower Hamlets and Boston Manor House in Hounslow.
I have also set up a Culture at Risk Office that has worked on more than 350 cases including heritage cases such as the 100 Club on Oxford Street and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in Lambeth.

Access to Culture (1)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you are supporting London’s theatres, galleries and museums to open up access for all Londoners?

The Mayor: I have made culture a priority to open up access for all Londoners, putting creativity at the heart of communities and offering new opportunities to young people.
Through London Borough of Culture, I have awarded £3.7 million to eight local authorities to invest in culture on Londoners’ doorsteps.
My Cultural Impact Awards will widen access to culture further across six boroughs. For example, in Lewisham, the Albany Theatre will launch a Festival of Creative Ageing featuring the creative talents of older people in the borough.
I have committed £70 million to create a landmark Museum of London at West Smithfield. Helping the museum to attract over 2 million visitors per year, deliver a world class visitor experience and expand far-reaching schools programme to every London school child.

Access to Culture (2)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you are supporting London’s theatres, galleries and museums to spread their activity and presence across the city?

The Mayor: London’s theatres, galleries and museums help make London a global cultural capital, attracting millions of visitors and connecting Londoners.
My flagship London Borough of Culture programme has awarded £3.7 million to eight local authorities, including helping the Royal Court and Barbican to work in Waltham Forest, and the Serpentine Galleries in Barking and Dagenham.
I have committed £70 million to move the Museum of London to West Smithfield. This will see visitors double to 2 million a year and will reach every London schoolchild.
I am also investing in East Bank, the new culture and education district at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with new buildings for the V&A with the Smithsonian, Sadler’s Wells, the BBC, London College of Fashion UAL and UCL, putting world leading institutions at the heart of east London.
Through my Good Growth Fund, I am supporting theatres, galleries and museums to reach more Londoners, such as the Ragged School Museum in Tower Hamlets and Polka Theatre in Merton.

Van and minibus scrappage scheme

Caroline Pidgeon: How many micro businesses and charities have so far taken up the opportunity to apply for a grant under the £23 million fund to help micro-businesses and charities scrap vans and minibuses that do not comply with the Ultra Low Emission Zone standards?

The Mayor: To help micro businesses and charities prepare for the Ultra Low Emission Zone, I launched my £23 million van scrappage scheme on 22 February 2019. Under the scheme, eligible micro-businesses and charities can apply for funds to scrap up to three older, more polluting vans and charity minibuses and switch to cleaner vehicles. As at3 May 2019, TfL has received applications from 881 organisations wanting to scrap their dirty vehicles.
I also announced in February that I propose to launch a £25 million car scrappage fund later this year to help low-income Londoners scrap their older, more polluting vehicles in favour of cleaner vehicles and greener forms of transport to help clean up the city’s toxic air.

Positive Impact of Sport (2)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you are working with London’s community sports clubs to support them in making a positive impact in the community, especially with young people?

The Mayor: Sport Unites, my £8.8 million community sport investment programme, includes a £3 million allocation from the Young Londoners Fund to fund projects with a focus on young people. The programme was designed and developed with a range of community sports clubs and organisations across London, ensuring that our funding gives the support needed to deliver sport and physical activity in the most impactful way for their communities. To date we have allocated £2.25 million through small grants to support local grassroots provision, and larger grants for longer-term projects. These projects use sport to tackle issues facing Londoners in their everyday lives – such as isolation, poor mental health, discrimination and prejudice, and youth violence. Our programme helps clubs understand what works and doesn’t work, and why; and how to build their capacity to deliver successful initiatives for the Londoners they reach. Combined beneficiaries for Sport Unites-funded initiatives are already upwards of 17,150.

Driving test for private hire drivers

Caroline Pidgeon: To reduce collisions and improve public safety will you consider the merits of introducing an advanced driving test for anyone seeking a licence to drive a private hire vehicle?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/3941.

Ocean Diva

Caroline Pidgeon: What representations have you made or do you intend to make in relation to the proposal for a new pier at Swan Lane to serve the Ocean Diva?

The Mayor: The application has just been referred to me and I have not yet provided my Stage 1 comments. It’s important I do not prejudice my future decision by commenting in any detail on the application now.

Rapid Charging Points for ZEC Taxis (1)

David Kurten: You have stated that there are only 150 rapid charging points - how many are located in (i) the Central London congestion charging zone, (ii) Heathrow Airport, (iii) each of the 33 London boroughs?

The Mayor: As of 11 March 2019, there are 171 Rapid Charge Points in London that have been delivered with funding facilitated by Transport for London. These are located as follows:
(i) Central London Congestion Charging Zone – 18 Rapid Charge Points;
(ii) Heathrow Airport – 7 Rapid Charge Points. Separately to these, Heathrow has installed a further 12 Rapid Charge Points and 8 fast chargers fed by a battery storage solution in the Authorised Vehicle Area (AVA). TfL has had no involvement in the charge points in the AVA;
(iii) Breakdown by Borough:
Borough
RCPs
Barnet
11
Bexley
1
Brent
8
Camden
2
Croydon
11
Ealing
4
Enfield
4
Greenwich
7
Hackney
3
Hammersmith & Fulham
5
Haringey
4
Harrow
2
Havering
2
Hillingdon
12
Hounslow
6
Islington
7
Kingston upon Thames
1
Lambeth
7
Lewisham
5
Merton
2
Newham
7
Redbridge
10
Richmond
5
Southwark
9
Sutton
3
Tower Hamlets
2
Waltham Forest
1
Wandsworth
9
Westminster
15
Others
6
Total
171

ZEC Taxi Fuel Saving Calculation

David Kurten: How did you calculate that taxi drivers would save £100 per week on fuel costs by switching from diesel to ZECs?

The Mayor: On their website, the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) provide an example demonstrating that weekly fuel savings of £100 can be achieved by drivers switching from a diesel vehicle to an LEVC Zero Emission Capable vehicle.
LEVC’s calculation assumes that a driver works five days a week, driving 120 miles per day. Full details of the assumptions used in their calculation can be found here: https://www.levc.com/tx-cost-comparison/
Individual drivers can visit the LEVC website and calculate estimated fuel savings based on their own circumstances.

London Bridge

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you consider moving the barriers that exist on London Bridge from their current location within the bus lanes to the edge of the pavements on the bridge? I have received complaints that the narrowing of the bus lane leads to buses not being able to manoeuvre past other traffic when the outside lanes are stationary, leading to the build up of traffic at busy times. A further concern is that the build up of traffic creates problems for cyclists who cannot make use of the bus lane and are forced to use other traffic lanes.

The Mayor: I share the concerns that have been raised.
Transport for London (TfL) is currently in discussion with the City of London Corporation and the Metropolitan Police about potential changes to the arrangements for the temporary protective security measures and the timing of making such changes. I have asked TfL to keep you updated.

New inquest into Ella Kissi-Debrah death

Caroline Russell: On 2 May 2019, the High Court granted a new inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah to allow a better understanding of the role that air pollution played in her death. Since you wrote to the London Assembly Oversight Committee on 17 October 2018 regarding air quality risks for the GLA and London, have you updated your assessments and identified the public bodies that are potentially at the greatest financial and legal risk if the inquest determines that air pollution was the cause of death?

The Mayor: Ella’s death was a tragedy and it is vital that we understand the role air pollution played in her death. I have strongly supported Ella’s family’s campaign for a new inquest and wrote to the Attorney General expressing my view that a new inquest was needed.
Ella’s heart-breaking death is one of the reasons why I am determined to tackle the scourge of air pollution once and for all. I have published my London Environment Strategy which sets out in detail the package of policies and action needed to ensure London meets legal pollution limits as soon as possible.
As a result, I continue to believe that the currently understood legal risk from air pollution to the GLA has been addressed as effectively as possible, although inevitably some risk will remain until legal compliance is achieved. All public authorities – including the Government – are legally required to take the action they can to ensure that legal limits are met, as quickly and effectively as possible.
It is possible that the inquest could identify new legal risks. I have asked my officers to keep this under review as the new inquest into Ella’s death proceeds, ensuring any lessons are learned, and updating the corporate risk register as needed.

Industrial relations frameworks on major infrastructure projects

Caroline Russell: The union Unite has recently made a strong case that Crossrail’s failure to agree an industrial relations framework with unions was exceptional for a major project and part of the cause of issues seen. Will you ensure all future major projects have such a framework?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) recognises trade unions for collective bargaining purposes and seeks to work constructively with them across its operations. However, in projects such as Crossrail, where many specialist activities are undertaken by external contractors and other partners, TfL is not able to direct those organisations to recognise trade unions as this is contrary to public procurement legislation.
Crossrail Ltd requires its contractors to maintain good and constructive industrial relations and to ensure that effective processes are in place to address and resolve any concerns raised by the trade unions.

World culture forum (2)

Andrew Boff: What was the total cost to the GLA of the World Cities Culture Forum in 2016?

The Mayor: The World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network bringing together influential city leaders to share learning, collaborate and partner on cultural initiatives that drive social and economic impact in urban development. Since it was established in London in 2012, it has grown from 9 to 38 cities.
London convenes the Forum and it is chaired by my Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE. Its members – senior leaders from city governments – are influential officials, advocating for culture as a vital part of urban policy which is proven to build a city’s quality of life, reputation and economic prosperity.
The total cost to the GLA of the World Cities Culture Forum in 2016/17 was £31,772.

World culture forum (3)

Andrew Boff: How many GLA employees attended the World Cities Culture Forum in 2016?

The Mayor: Three GLA employees attended the World Cities Culture Summit in 2016 including Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries and Chair of the World Cities Culture Forum.

World culture forum (4)

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with a detailed breakdown of costs of the World Cities Culture Forum in 2016?

The Mayor: The World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network bringing together influential city leaders to share learning and collaborate and partner on cultural initiatives that drive social and economic impact in urban development. Since it was established in London in 2012, it has grown from 9 to 38 cities.
The World Cities Culture Forum is run as a network with cities paying annual membership fees.
For 2016/17, the breakdown of GLA costs of the World Cities Culture Forum was:
External consultant fee
£14,000
Research into access and participation
£6,000
Grant for community engagement case studies
£10,000
Travel, hotel, and catering
£1,772
2016-17 Total
£31,772

Gifts and hospitality

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with an itemised breakdown of the value of gifts and hospitality received by Justine Simons in 2016-2017?

The Mayor: A full list of Justine Simons’ Gifts and Hospitality for 2016-2017 is attached.

Team London and Community Sport (1)

Andrew Boff: MD2426 outlines that the GLA Team London & Sport Unit’s budget for 2019/20 is £9,541,00. Please provide me a detailed breakdown of how this will be spent?

The Mayor: The Team London and Sports Unit budget covers Team London, Community Sport and Major Events Sport. Of the £9,541,000 budget referred to within MD2426:

Team London and Community Sport (2)

Andrew Boff: Please provide me with the budget for the Team London and Community Sport programme over the past 5 years, broken down by year?

The Mayor: The Team London and Community Sport budget over the past 5 years, broken down by years is as follows:
Notethat these figures do not include Major Events Sport budgets.

Pedestrian crossing wait times (2)

Caroline Russell: The recently published Transport for London (TfL) Temporary Traffic Management Handbook states on page 125: “Research shows that pedestrians are less likely to wait for the green man after 30 seconds, so shorter cycle times are preferable.” However, no maximum wait time for pedestrians is given. It appears that there is no clear and direct advice in either this document or other design documentation on pedestrian wait and signal timing. Will future updates to the Temporary Traffic Management Handbook, other signals guidance and design manuals ensure that clear guidance is given on pedestrian wait times?

The Mayor: As I set out in my Walking Action Plan, the new Temporary Traffic Management handbook has been published to ensure that roadworks are no longer a barrier to people walking and accessing London’s streets. The Handbook is focused on reducing the road risk and inconvenience of road works. It encourages those undertaking roadworks to consider the use of temporary pedestrian crossing systems such as portable traffic signals, in order to avoid lengthy diversions, especially in areas with high numbers of pedestrians (section 2.6). And in section 7.6, the handbook provides advice to contractors if they are setting their own timings on the portable traffic signals.
Transport for London (TfL) works closely with anyone planning roadworks on the TfL Road Network to ensure that temporary road layouts, including portable signals, are set up appropriately to minimise the impact to all road users. Cycle times, which define the pedestrian wait time, are set according to road user demands in each location. The objective is to strike a balance where pedestrians can use the signals to safely cross the road, while avoiding delays to bus passengers and excessive vehicle congestion. TfL is planning to undertake the next review of the handbook in 2020.
The Temporary Traffic Management handbook builds on a range of regulation and advice for the design standards expected for temporary traffic management, which is provided by the Department for Transport, including;
Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice (referred to as “The Red Book”) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...
An introduction to the use of portable vehicular signals - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

Pedestrian crossing wait times (1)

Caroline Russell: In your Walking action plan there is a map on page 56 showing 200 locations of traffic signals where Transport for London (TfL) reduced the wait time for pedestrians in 2017. However, it seems from the graphic that most of these sites are not on the TfL Road Network (TLRN) which often sees the longest waits. Could you confirm by borough for the calendar years 2017 and 2018 a) the date and location of reviews of signalised crossings, b) any increase or reduction in pedestrian wait time at each location, and c) whether the crossing is on the TLRN?

The Mayor: The way in which the road network is managed and operated to support my Healthy Streets objective is very important to me. I have therefore challenged Transport for London (TfL) to be able to better report on its performance in this regard. From April 2018, TfL has included a new metric on its scorecard which measures the number of hours saved to people travelling by sustainable modes through the signalised junctions and crossings where timings have been adjusted. This focus has driven a shift in operational decision-making to support Healthy Streets. Traffic signal timing changes now strike a balance that makes walking and cycling more attractive, while supporting London’s bus network, and avoiding congestion levels which can lead to poor air quality. Decisions are taken after careful consideration of each location and how the signals are used throughout the day.
The 200 pedestrian-focused timing reviews conducted in 2017/18 were trial sites to enable TfL to establish how it could do more to support pedestrians using signalised crossings. I have asked TfL to send you the detailed results of this trial program, which includes the information you have requested.
Since this trial, TfL has updated its methodology to take account of the impact of timing changes to the different volumes of people using the junction or crossing at different times of day. It is this data that is analysed for the new scorecard metric, and I have asked TfL to send you the full breakdown of the 800 signal timing reviews that were conducted and measured in 2018/19. While the data sets from each year are not directly comparable, they will provide you with the detail that you have requested.

Haulage driver fatigue

Caroline Russell: A haulage driver has been in touch to ask about action to address driver fatigue in London. The Transport for London (TfL) Freight and Servicing Action Plan proposes a review with boroughs of lay-over resting points in 2019. Are you also going to solicit views from drivers and unions as part of this process? What output are you expecting from TfL from this work and how will it be communicated?

The Mayor: The Freight and Servicing action plan recognises that for operators to meet legal requirements to manage commercial vehicle driver fatigue, adequate availability of places to stop and rest are needed. TfL will work with boroughs to review where lay-over and resting bays for drivers are located and to understand how well utilised they are. This information will be made available on the TfL website and shared with operators. TfL will then work with boroughs to consider whether additional bays are needed to help tackle driver fatigue.
The Freight Policy Advisory Panel and Freight Delivery Groups have been set up to help shape freight policies in London. These groups include boroughs, London Councils, operators and industry partners such as the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association – who provide representation of the views of their members who include drivers and unions. TfL will work with these groups to scope the review of lay-over and resting bays.

Transport for London active travel metric

Caroline Russell: Papers at the Transport for London (TfL) Board on 27 March 2019 on the TfL Scorecard 2019/20 (Appendix 2: Scorecard development work undertaken during 2018/19) show that TfL has abandoned work on an active travel metric to study the effect of investments on an intervention area. Could you please outline TfL’s reasoning in more detail as to why such surveys would not work, and explain how you are assessing existing investments?

The Mayor: Measuring active travel in an accurate, informative and useable way is a priority for TfL. It continues to measure active travel as part of the annual London Travel Demand Survey and is exploring improved options for measuring active travel across all Londoners using data from mobile phones. However, the localised survey methodology has been found not to be an effective way to assess impacts on active travel in localised intervention areas. Very large sample sizes are required to demonstrate statistically significant changes in a small area, and there is a high cost attached to doing so.
Existing investments are assessed for their contribution to meeting the objectives set out in my Transport Strategy. A new Healthy Streets Mystery Shopper process is also being used to assess the impact of investment, as measured against the 10 Healthy Streets Criteria as set out in my Transport Strategy.

No. 19 Bus

Leonie Cooper: My constituents are absolutely overjoyed at the decision to maintain the No.19 bus. Several would like to ride across Battersea Bridge with you or the Deputy Mayor to show their appreciation. Is this something that can be arranged?

The Mayor: Thank you for the kind invitation. Unfortunately, due to diary pressures neither the Deputy Mayor for Transport or I will be able to commit to a ride across Battersea bridge.
We would like to reiterate our thanks to you and your constituents for the continued engagement shown throughout Transport for London’s (TfL’s) central London bus consultation, particularly on the proposals to curtail route 19 between Holborn and Battersea. The feedback provided was instrumental for TfL to accurately assess the benefits and disadvantages of this proposal.

Positive Impact of Sport (1)

Navin Shah: Can you outline how you are working with London’s football and other major sports clubs to support and expand their vast capacity for making a positive impact in the community, especially with young people?

The Mayor: We are exploring ways in which we can work with London’s football clubs and others to have a positive impact in communities. We have been working closely with London United, an umbrella group of the clubs’ Foundations, to identify potential alignment with the excellent work they already do in their local communities. The Premier League has been involved in discussions around how our future community sport initiatives can involve the clubs.
We are also working with The FA as we develop a community sport programme linked to the EURO 202O Championship.
We also support other major sports clubs and organisations, such as the NFL, who recently launched a new Academy for young people at Barnet & Southgate College.

Homelessness services

Tom Copley: Will the Greater London Authority publish a review of the effectiveness of its homelessness services over the past winter, and set priorities for where further funding could best improve provision to those most in need?

The Mayor: Last year we published an extensive review of the Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) in 2017/18. This set out recommendations for improvement, including the ‘In for good’ principal which was adopted in 2018/19. We will be reviewing the effectiveness of SWEP in 2018/19 as part of deciding how to most effectively use further funding in 2019/20.

Short-term lettings registration (1)

Tom Copley: Which short-term lettings companies have expressed support in your mandatory registration proposal, and have you held meetings with any?

The Mayor: Airbnb expressed support for my proposal for a registration system for short-term lets by co-signing my letter to the Government about this on 22 April. Over the past few months, my Deputy Mayor and his team have also met with several other short-term lettings platforms. Booking.com and TripAdvisor have signalled their support for further regulation of short-term lettings, and both HomeAway and TripAdvisor have agreed to apply a voluntary cap in the meantime.

Riverside Walk

Leonie Cooper: The Riverside Walk in Battersea has become dangerous for pedestrians, due to speeding cyclists, especially at commuter times. Has Wandsworth Council approached Transport for London for any support with improving safety arrangements here?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has not recently received an approach for support from the London Borough of Wandsworth about concerns on Riverside Walk, and the responsible officers are not aware of one having been received previously. TfL is working with the London Borough of Wandsworth on proposals to improve cycle infrastructure on Nine Elms Lane, which would offer a parallel cycle route.

ULEZ (2)

Susan Hall: How many Londoners do you expect to be impacted by ULEZ charges each year over the next 5 years, broken down by year?

The Mayor: Tackling London’s lethal air and safeguarding the health of Londoners requires bold action. Air pollution is a national health crisis and I refuse to stand back as millions of Londoners breathe in air so filthy that it shortens our life expectancy, harms our lungs and worsens chronic illness.
With over 450 of London’s schools and nearly 600 inner-London NHS facilities in areas exceeding safe legal pollution levels, it is imperative that we take ambitious and urgent action on poor air quality that affects all Londoner’s lives. It is also a matter of social justice with the poorest most likely to be affected by poor air quality, but least likely to drive a car.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will significantly reduce emissions to help tackle the thousands of premature deaths linked to air quality every year. Millions of Londoners per day will be positively impacted by the ULEZ charge, as it will encourage people to walk, cycle, use public transport or clean up their vehicles. Along with measures to clean up buses and taxis, the ULEZ will mean that no schools are expected to be in areas of illegally polluted air by 2025.
The attached table, derived from numbers published in the 2017 consultation documents that are available here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/ultra-low-emission..., sets out initial indications of the approximate numbers of vehicles that will not comply with the ULEZ standards. The table demonstrates that these vehicles comprise a relatively small proportion of total kilometres driven. It also demonstrates that within two years of the expanded scheme being in place, the number of non-compliant vehicles is halved as the vehicle fleet is cleaned up.

School Streets

Leonie Cooper: How successful is the School Streets trial proving to be, in terms of both safety and air quality?

The Mayor: School streets are being piloted by a number of London boroughs, including Greenwich, Camden, Westminster, Southwark, Hounslow and Hackney. TfL are supporting boroughs as they deliver Play Streets and Healthy School Streets. Most schemes have not yet been in operation for a full school year. However, preliminary results are positive.
Example of improvements reported include Haimo Primary in Greenwich which has recorded a 35 per cent reduction in parents driving children to school, a 33 per cent increase in scooting and an 11 per cent increase in walking since the introduction of the school street.
Similarly, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Camden reported a reduction in the number of parents driving their children to the school. Parents have also reported a significant improvement in how safe they feel the school street is.. Air quality data collected on the street outside the school indicates that air quality improved, with a 3.8 per cent reduction in NO2 levels overall on school days. This is expected to mean a significantly greater reduction at times when children are arriving and departing the school as this is when the closure is in place but monitoring methods (diffusion tubes) used were not sensitive enough to report this.
Similar results were reported by an evaluation study in Edinburgh.
I will continue collecting evidence about the effectiveness of School Streets and will include more information in the GLA’s annual compendium of borough air quality activity.

Car scrappage scheme for low income Londoners

Caroline Pidgeon: When will details of the proposed £25 million car scrappage fund that was announced on the 14 February 2019 be made known to the public?

The Mayor: My team and TfL are working together on the proposals for the scheme, such as the eligibility criteria, the level and types of payments available and the application process to make this investment stretch as far as it can, given the potential scope.
This also means engaging with stakeholders to ensure we design a scheme that works effectively and that details of the scheme, as well as the launch, are in good time, later this year and well ahead of the ULEZ expansion.

Planning with communities

Nicky Gavron: It is clear that in order to successfully deliver more homes across London, development needs to be supported by the local community. What steps can you take to ensure Londoners are better consulted and proactively involved in the planning process?

The Mayor: Throughout my draft London Plan I have emphasised the importance of consultation with local people, communities and other stakeholders. This is key to building strong and inclusive communities, as early engagement with local people leads to better planning proposals. I want local people to help to shape London’s growth, and in consulting on my own planning policy documents – the London Plan, Supplementary Planning Guidance and Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks – I am committed to genuine public and stakeholder consultation. Where I have called-in an application for my determination, I seek to allow sufficient time for consultation, and allow supporters and objectors time to address me at the public hearing.

Permitted Development Rights

Nicky Gavron: What progress is being made with the Government with regard to securing an exemption from Permitted Development Rights for London’s Central Activities Zone, which expires at the end of May?

The Mayor: We have worked closely with the Government and local planning authorities on this matter and I am pleased that all ten local planning authorities in central London have now confirmed Article 4 Directions to remove office to residential permitted development rights. The Article 4 Directions apply to London’s nationally significant office locations that are currently exempted from the rights, including the whole of the Central Activities Zone, the Northern Isle of Dogs, Tech City and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The Directions will all be in force by the end of May when the current exemptions expire.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (11)

Keith Prince: What is the composition of owner drivers who are applying for the new Taxi Delicensing scheme, what are the ages of those drivers and what is the vehicle emission Euro standard of those vehicles?

The Mayor: Of the Taxi Delicensing payments that TfL has made under the revised scheme to date, 18 per centhave been to owner drivers. TfL does not ask what the ages of owner drivers are as part of the application process.
The Euro emission category of a taxi is confirmed when TfL conducts the delicensing inspection and it can then formally determine what level of payment can be made. Of the vehicles that have been presented for a delicensing inspection by owner drivers (as at 11 March 2019), the Euro breakdown is as follows:

Leasehold (1)

Tom Copley: In view of the recent critical cross-party report by the House of Commons Select Committee into the leasehold tenure and the fact that the majority of England’s leaseholders live in the capital, will the Mayor commission research and collect evidence to gauge the views of leaseholders in London to the recommendations of the committee and to the proposals put forward by Government for consultation?

The Mayor: My team is in regular contact with those representing leaseholders in London. I have ensured that their views have been represented in my responses to recent consultations on this issue, my public calls on the Government to improve the complex leasehold system and do more to help existing leaseholders, and in my team’s regular discussions with Government officials about reforming the tenure.

Planning permissions (2)

Nicky Gavron: Could you provide a breakdown for the number of planning permissions granted in each of the past five years by number of units, number of bedrooms and by type of tenure (private, intermediate, social).

The Mayor: Please see attached Appendix A - MQ2019/9263 in response to your question.

Planning permissions (1)

Nicky Gavron: Could you provide a breakdown for each of the past five years for the number of planning permissions granted for a) all new homes b) all affordable homes and c) homes for social rent levels (including London Affordable Rent where relevant).

The Mayor: Please see attached Appendix A - MQ2019/9262in response to your question.

Crimes not investigated

Tony Devenish: For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, how many crimes have not been investigated by crime type?

The Mayor: All crimes receive an initial investigation by the reporting officer. Further investigation is according to the MPS Crime Assessment Principles policy which helps officers strike a proportionate balance between the resources applied to any secondary investigation and the likely outcome of such an investigation.
A crime is only 'screened out' after the initial investigation by the reporting officer hasbeen reviewed by a local crime manager, and the circumstances are such that there are no further lines of enquiry to be actively pursued. This does not mean that the investigation is complete. Any further evidence could be assessed and investigated accordingly.

Moped crime

Tony Devenish: Moped thieves recently mugged a teenager in Brackenbury Village, demanding his phone, despite it not being on display. What are you doing to tackle such crimes?

The Mayor: Both the MPS and I recognise moped crime as a serious concern and that aside from the initial theft, mopeds are being used to conduct a range of other crimes from personal theft to serious robberies, and incidents where victims are left severely injured.
The MPS are cracking down on perpetrators and have been carrying out intelligence-led operations, including at moped-related crime hotspots such as London’s main shopping streets, which have led to increased arrests and a stem in the rise of this sort of crime in London. Targeted intelligence-led operations, increased arrests, new tactics and joint working has started to stem the rise in the levels of moped enabled theft and crime in London.
The MPS also has a clear communications plan, which aims to promote the importance of personal security and safety and provide the public with key advice and security messages as well as information on how to report crime. ‘Look Up, Look Out’ is the latest message of the MPS’s ‘Be Safe’ publicity campaign to support operational policing to tackle moped crime. This phase of the campaign is about encouraging Londoners to take steps to protect themselves and their property – particularly mobile phones – when in public. The campaign was launched in September 2018. Whilst not complacent, there has been a steady decline in moped crime and moped enabled crime since summer 2017. In the year leading up to January 2018, recorded moped enable crime was at its highest. Latest figures show a 74 per cent reduction of moped enabled crime from January 2018 to April 2019.

Heathrow flights increase

Caroline Russell: As part of the Heathrow Airspace and Future Operations consultation, did you oppose the specific proposal to increase flights at Heathrow by 25,000 a year in 2021, ahead of the proposed third runway expansion?

The Mayor: Yes, I have been clear in my opposition to ‎any increase in permitted flights for a two-runway Heathrow. The planning cap that was previously imposed on a two-runway Heathrow was set at that level with good reason.
City Hall’s full consultation response is available at: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/response-to-hal-airspace-and-operations-consul...

Contribution by Chelsea

Tony Devenish: What contribution does Chelsea making to policing football games at Stamford Bridge?

The Mayor: The MPS receives money from football clubs through a Special Police Services (SPS) agreement. Following the Leeds FC v West Yorkshire Police court judgement, this can only cover those officers the clubs asks for within its footprint. The cost of policing Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge, and the money recovered under SPS, for the last three seasons is below:

South Kensington Station Post Office

Tony Devenish: What is you view about the lack of a Post Office and/or suitability of a subpostmaster set up close to South Kensington underground station? A number of residents are very concerned about the proposed closure of the South Kensington Station Post Office and would like to know your view on this issue.

The Mayor: I understand that in South Kensington, the Post Office’s lease on the building has expired and they have decided to take this opportunity to review service provision in the area.
My officers have been in touch with the Post Office who have informed us that they have completed a public consultation on the proposed closure at South Kensington Station branch. As part of that process they have provided details of five alternative Post Office branches that customers can access Post Office services from, as follows (including distance from the current branch):
The public consultation asked for feedback on customer access to and into alternative branches and any local community issues that could be affected by the proposal. The consultation closed on 27 March and the feedback received is currently being reviewed.

Greenhouse Gases

Tony Devenish: What specific steps are you taking following reports that greenhouse gases from aeroplanes have more than doubled from 17.1tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 1990 to 35.5 m tonnes in 2016?

The Mayor: As highlighted in the Committee on Climate Change report on Net Zero, aviation is a sector with very few near term opportunities for decarbonisation, and improvements in aircraft efficiency have historically been offset by increased demand for air travel.
Emissions reductions will come from a combination of improvements in fuel efficiency, constraints on demand growth, switching to alternative fuels, hybrid electric aircraft, etc. London is committed to playing its role, but real change can only be realised if the international aviation sector steps up and accelerates investment in these technologies, with the UK taking a leadership role.
Whilst I am making the best use of the levers within my control, such as planning, I continue to lobby the government in areas where I have limited power to act, such as airport expansion. Part of my opposition to expansion at Heathrow was due to the negative impact it would have on London’s long-term carbon budget. Through my transport strategy, I encourage Londoners to use lower carbon forms of transport, and it is important to remember our rail links can replace aviation for short haul flights to the UK and Europe.

Crossrail (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please state how many people currently working on Crossrail are directly employed by Bechtel, and the total number of Bechtel employees who were working on the project for the years 2018, 2017 and 2016. Please also confirm the total number of people who were recruited by Bechtel but directly employed by Crossrail Ltd in 2019 to date, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The Mayor: Crossrail Limited is not obliged to know the employment status of people assigned by Bechtel on the Crossrail project.
The total number of people assigned by Bechtel on the Crossrail project is currently 209. This figure was 254 in 2016, 225 in 2017 and 229 in 2018. These figures are calculated at the end of each financial year, which is 31 March.
I have been advised by Crossrail Limited that there were no people recruited by Bechtel but directly employed by Crossrail Limited during these time periods.

Drone delivery in London

Susan Hall: What work has taken place to allow the use of drones for deliveries in London?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) and I recognise that there has been investment and interest in the delivery of goods using drones around the world, including several trials in the UK and commercial services abroad.
TfL has no direct role in the regulation or management of airspace. However, it is working closely with the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to better understand the implications of increasing drone use on London. While there may be benefits of such deliveries, there are also likely to be challenges and impacts for communities on the ground, including safety, security, privacy and noise.
TfL will continue to build such relationships and explore impacts, particularly where there may be opportunities to support the objectives of the Mayors Transport Strategy.

Met Patrol Plus

Susan Hall: Under the old Met Patrol Plus scheme, how much annual income did the Metropolitan Police receive from Local Authorities?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) did not derive income from the Met Patrol Plus scheme, also known as ‘buy one get one free’.
Providing the ‘free’ officers to local authorities cost the MPS around £9m each year.
This was one the key reasons that the scheme was ended. It was simply not sustainable with the pressure on the policing budget caused by the Government’s cuts.

Rapid Charging Points for ZEC Taxis (4)

David Kurten: How much does it cost to install a 50 kW rapid charging point for ZEC taxis?

The Mayor: The cost of installing a single 50kW rapid charging point depends very much on the site. This is because the works required vary, particularly in relation to providing the power supply. A more costly single 50kW rapid charge point will include additional civil engineering works such as new kerb build-outs, drainage works and complex power connections.
The installation costs supported by TfL are for enabling works and power connections. The actual installation and ongoing maintenance cost is borne by the operator for every site.
Typically, the enabling works will have a cost range of £10k - £20k. The power connections will similarly range from £10k - £20k.

Rapid Charging Points for ZEC Taxis (2)

David Kurten: Who are the current owners/suppliers of rapid charging points in London?

The Mayor: Following a tendering process, Transport for London (TfL) awarded the Framework for Rapid Charging on 8 May 2017 to five Concessionaires listed below:
The Framework will run for up to four years until May 2021. TfL selects and appoints concessionaires for sites on its land and highway from this framework.
There are also a number of independent suppliers who have installed Rapid Charge Points in Greater London. These include; Charge Your Car, Ecotricity, POLAR, PodPoint, Shell Recharge, GeniePoint, InstaVolt and Swarco Connect. TfL has had no involvement in these installations.

Rapid Charging Points for ZEC Taxis (3)

David Kurten: What is the cost of charging a ZEC taxi using each of the different owners/suppliers of rapid charging points in London?

The Mayor: The cost of charging a ZEC taxi depends on the price set by the operator of the charge point. The cost range is currently between 20p - 38p per kW unit.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme

Keith Prince: Since the announcement of the restructured taxi delicensing scheme, how many newly licensed ZEC taxis are (1) Fleet owned (2) owner driver?

The Mayor: To date, TfL has licensed more than 1,500 ZEC vehicles. TfL estimate that the split between driver-owned and fleet-owned taxis, including those that are not ZEC, is around 50 per cent. To determine a more accurate figure, a manual check of each licence would be needed.

Crossrail Board minutes

Caroline Pidgeon: At present the most recent published Crossrail board minutes are for the 10th January 2019. Are you satisfied with such long delays in publishing minutes and will you take steps to ensure that Crossrail Ltd publishes its minutes in a timely manner?

The Mayor: The minutes of the Crossrail Ltd Board meetings that took place on 31 January 2019 and 28 February 2019 have now been published. I have asked that Crossrail Ltd minutes are published more promptly and would normally expect minutes to be published within 2 months of the meeting take place.

Safer Schools Officers (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: The data in response to Question No. 2019/4061 shows that knife crime ‘hotspots’ such as Southwark, Lambeth and Croydon have seen a reduction in Safer Schools Officers in the last year. With that in mind, what is the criteria for deciding where these officers should be placed?

The Mayor: There are a number of factors which influence where officers are dedicated to specific schools, this includes recorded rates of ASB with a link to the School (including community impact), amount of first time entrants to the Criminal Justice System, number of victims of crime, intelligence on weapon related incidents attributed to the school, number of pupils attending the school and the permanent exclusion rate. These decisions are reviewed annually.

Safer Schools Officers (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: The data in response to Question No. 2019/4061 shows that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea currently has no Safer Schools Officers. Does this not go against your Police and Crime Plan which promises to “ensure that every school has a named officer supporting them”?

The Mayor: I committed in my Police & Crime Plan to put in place more specialist schools officers, focused on the safety and protection of young people. I am delivering on that commitment. As at the end of February, there are over 400 officers working full time in schools and with young people. It is anticipated that this number will increase to almost 600 by the Autumn.

Safer Schools Officers (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: In response to Question No.2019/4061 on 1 March 2019 you told me there were 343.41 Safer Schools Officers. AC Mark Simmons told the House of Commons Education Select Committee on the 27 March 2019 that they would be increasing these to 420, and then 600. Please provide a timescale for when these officers will be in place. What is the current number of Safer Schools Officers?

The Mayor: There are, as at the end of February, over 400 officers working full time in schools and with young people. It is anticipated that this number will increase to almost 600 by the Autumn.

Safer Schools Officers (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Your response to Question No. 2019/4061 showed that there has been an increase of only 24 extra Safer Schools Officers from last year. Are you confident you will achieve your ambitions of doubling the number to 600?

The Mayor: Yes. There are, as at the end of February, over 400 officers working full time in schools and with young people. It is anticipated that this number will increase to almost 600 by the Autumn.

Car Free Day and London boroughs

Caroline Russell: Further to your work for an event in central London, how will you and Transport for London (TfL) support Car Free Day activity within London boroughs with the £1 million funding allocated in the 2019-20 budget?

The Mayor: As outlined in Mayor's Question 2019/6079, I want a major event which opens up our streets so that Londoners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can enjoy walking, cycling and being active in a safe, traffic-free and unpolluted environment.
Car Free Day will showcase culture, sport, and healthy fun activities in a significant area of central London, enabling people to see parts of the city that are often dominated by traffic, from a different perspective. We will also be working with boroughs and community organisations to activate other neighbourhoods across the city.

Compliance Teams Review

Keith Prince: TfL’s Head of Compliance, Anand Nandha, is carrying out a review of his Compliance Teams. How will you ensure that this review is open and transparent, and can you confirm that it will be made available online?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is currently consulting with its Compliance, Policing and On-Street (CPOS) staff about proposals for organisational change. This includes reviewing the on-street compliance enforcement operation, which includes the TPH Compliance officers currently overseen by the Head of TPH Compliance. TfL’s proposals are for a team of multi-skilled officers, versatile and adaptable, which would make deployments and activities more effective, and responses more flexible.
All affected staff members were invited to briefings at the end of March where the proposals were shared. Trade Unions were also briefed, and TfL has informed taxi and private hire trade bodies on those relevant areas where these changes will support Taxi and Private Hire Compliance.
As this is an internal consultation relating to TfL staff, documentation will not be published online. However, TfL will continue to provide the taxi and private hire trades with any information that may affect Taxi or Private Hire drivers through existing communication channels.

European social fund after the UK leaves the EU

Onkar Sahota: How much European Social Fund funding has the Greater London Authority family received in each year of your mayoralty, and how much is already secured for future years?

The Mayor: The Greater London Authority’s European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU) is responsible for London’s £471 millionshare of the England European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-20 programme. This funding must be matched by an equivalent sum, and can be utilised until 2023. ESF provides employability and skills support, through enhancing access to the opportunities of London’s labour market. Almost 400,000 people will be helped, with 135,000 achieving a positive result like progressing into, or within, the labour market; or gaining a qualification.
Most ESF is awarded to ‘co-financing organisations’; including London Boroughs and government agencies. The GLA Co-financing organisation (a separate team from EPMU) has been allocated up to £83.5 million, with most projects due to begin delivery from August 2019. Claims paid to date total £816,000 for 2017/18 and £323,000 for 2018/19, with the remaining funding to be claimed by December 2023.

Usdaw’s ‘Save Our Shops’ Campaign

Joanne McCartney: Usdaw’s ‘Save Our Shops Campaign’ is calling on the Government to take more action to support our local high streets, and keep local shops open. They have called for
(a) Economic measures to create a more level playing field between the high street and online retailing.
(b)Fair pay and job security for retail workers – a minimum wage of £10 per hour, tackle zero-hours and short-hours contracts, investment in skills and training, and
(c) Government action to protect jobs in the retail sector.
What can and are you doing in London to support this campaign?

The Mayor: My draft London Plan and my Economic Development Strategy encourage boroughs to deliver town centre strategies in partnership with local businesses and residents, that set out a clear vision for the regeneration that London’s high streets need.
Protecting our high streets and the retail sector is vital, which is why I will continue to campaign for the full devolution of business rates, so we can address London’s unique business environment and safeguard businesses and jobs that so many depend on.I welcome recent Government proposals for an online sales tax aimed at levelling the playing field and providing support for struggling retailers. However, this should be part of a wider package of reforms aimed at supporting the high street.
Since coming into office, I have introduced a range of initiatives to support London High Streets and our retail sector - around £26m of my two initial Good Growth funding rounds has been directed towards High streets and town centre improvements.
I have also reconvened the High Streets Sounding Board which includes representatives from a range of specialists in the sector. They will be advising me on how best to address some of the challenges the retail sector is facing.

Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group findings on sub-programmes and projects

Caroline Russell: The Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group (IIPAG) report to the 6 March 2019 meeting of the Transport for London (TfL) Programmes and Investment Committee, stated at 4.2: “IIPAG has frequently found it difficult to get a clear view of the history of a programme’s or project’s EFC [Estimated Final Cost], why it has changed, how the EFC compares with relevant budgets, and especially in the case of sub-programmes, how expenditure is tracking against delivery.” An EFC is a crucial measure of investment and progress. Will you ensure that suitable information is provided to “decision makers and assurers for sub-programmes and projects” as IIPAG requests and also to the public through regular TfL reporting?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Investment Portfolio Report (IPR) is published quarterly and shared at the Programme and Investment Committee (PIC) meetings and on the TfL website available to the public. This report contains relevant financial information for all TfL capital projects including Estimated Final Costs (EFCs).
TfL Project Assurance and TfL Project Management Office (PMO) are working with IIPAG to agree what core financial information should be made available through project and sub-programme assurance reviews. There is a plan in place to set a baseline across TfL so performance can be measured and reported more consistently.

Cost of Adult Education Courses

Joanne McCartney: I recently met with Enfield’s Over 50s Forum, and the cost of further and higher education courses was raised. Many older people want to learn new skills or undertake courses to learn new things and keep their brain active. However, the cost of many courses is prohibitive for many, especially for those no longer in employment. What can you do to ensure that older Londoners can access affordable learning opportunities and Higher Education Courses? Will you raise this issue with London’s HE sector?

The Mayor: Reducing barriers to participation in lifelong learning is a key objective of my Skills for Londoners strategy and my ambition to create an all-age careers offer. There is a growing need for regular re-skilling and up-skilling and I want to see a skills system that all Londoners can access throughout their lives. Through London’s devolved Adult Education Budget, I am working to ensure training is accessible for older and other underrepresented learners, including those in low-paid work.
I have established a Higher Level Skills advisory group, which will inform my work on promoting the value of higher level courses, including for older leaners. This includes raising awareness of entitlements and available sources of financial support, such as 19+ Advanced Learner Loans and associated bursary funds or maintenance loans. The Group includes representatives from London's HE, FE and independent training providers and will meet for the first time next month.

Finsbury Park Station Access

Joanne McCartney: Can you update me on the completion date for step free access to platforms 3&4 and 7&8 at Finsbury Park station?

The Mayor: Earlier this year Transport for London opened two new lifts at Finsbury Park station. The lifts provide step-free access to the Piccadilly and Victoria lines as well as to platforms in the Network Rail (NR) station.
Provision of lift access to platforms 3 & 4 and 7 & 8 are part of NR’s improvement works for the station. NR has confirmed they have recently received funding to begin these works, which are planned to commence in autumn this year. The works are anticipated to be completed in 2021.

Bus Links to North Middlesex University Hospital

Joanne McCartney: Further to MQ 2018/0560, can you update me on your plans to improve bus links to North Middlesex University Hospital?

The Mayor: I am committed to ensuring that buses operate in the best possible way to serve their local communities. Transport for London (TfL) is working with Enfield Council to develop proposals to extend route W10 from its terminus at Enfield Town to North Middlesex Hospital via Firs Lane. As part of these plans, TfL is proposing to increase the hours of operation to 07:00 -19:00, increase the Monday to Saturday frequency to two buses per hour, and also introduce an hourly Sunday service on the route. These plans are subject to a route test and a consultation which is planned for later this year.
In addition, TfL is working with the hospital to restore route 491 towards Waltham Cross to a terminus within the grounds of the hospital, which will improve journey times. TfL met with representatives from the hospital in March, and is currently finalising the engineering designs for the work required for the terminus before progressing.

Northwood Station Car Park

Susan Hall: What is the current average usage of Northwood Station car park on a working day?

The Mayor: The current average occupancy rate at Northwood car park on a working day is 86 per cent of capacity.

TfL car park developments

Susan Hall: Which station car parks is TfL considering or intending to redevelop without retaining any commuter parking?

The Mayor: TfL has identified a number of car parks for development, and it will assess how many car parking spaces should be retained at each location. The exact number will be determined through consideration of local and regional policy as well as extensive surveys of usage, alternative transport provision and public consultation.
Station car parks which have been identified for redevelopment include:
Arnos Grove, Blackhorse Road, Canons Park, Cockfosters, Colindale, Finchley Central, Harrow-on-the-Hill, High Barnet, Hounslow West, Northwood Town, Rayners Lane, Stanmore, Sudbury Town, Wembley Park and Woodside Park.

Taxi Delicencing Scheme

David Kurten: Did TfL carry out surveys or an integrated impact assessment on the effect of the Taxi Delicensing scheme or are these just estimates, guesstimates, predictions, presumptions and assumptions?

The Mayor: The original taxi delicensing scheme, informed by a 2015 economic analysis undertaken by Cambridge Economic Policy Associates Ltd (CEPA), was launched by Transport for London (TfL) in 2017.
In 2018, TfL reviewed the structure of the taxi delicensing scheme to make it more attractive to taxi owners/drivers in order to increase uptake and accelerate the transition of the diesel taxi fleet to ZEC taxis. The revised payment levels reflect feedback from stakeholders and the level of interest shown in the new scheme has been positive.

Staff Turnover in TfL

David Kurten: What was the staff turnover rate in TfL and in tube drivers over the last 12 months?

The Mayor: The staff turnover rate over the past 12 months (P13 2018 to P12 2019) is provided below:

Stanmore Station development (1)

Susan Hall: Could you please confirm whether TfL’s proposed new development at Stanmore station car park will include plans for step-free access at Stanmore station?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) fully understands that the current 'step-free' arrangements at Stanmore station are unsatisfactory and could be improved subject to third-party funding. By developing the car park TfL will be able to provide hundreds of much needed affordable homes and will also provide a lift to improve the step-free access facilities at the station.

Stanmore Station development (2)

Susan Hall: How many car parking spaces will be retained at Stanmore Station car park as part of TfL’s proposed development?

The Mayor: TfL is working with its selected development partner, Catalyst, to transform the car parks at Stanmore, Rayners Lane and Canons Park into hundreds of much needed affordable homes. Across the three sites, TfL intends to retain some commuter parking spaces. The exact number of spaces will be dependant on discussions with the local community and the London Borough of Harrow through the consultation process.

Rayners Lane Station development (1)

Susan Hall: Could you please confirm whether TfL’s proposed new development at Rayners Lane station car park will include plans for step-free access at Rayners Lane station?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s proposals for developing the car park at Rayners Lane does not include step-free access, because the car park is not adjacent to the station building. The proposed scheme does not preclude the future delivery of step-free access should the land adjacent to the station be developed and third-party funding identified.

Rayners Lane Station development (2)

Susan Hall: How many car parking spaces will be retained at Rayners Lane Station car park as part of TfL’s proposed development?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/8991.

Canons Park Station development (1)

Susan Hall: Could you please confirm whether TfL’s proposed new development at Canons Park station car park will include plans for step-free access at Canons Park station?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s proposals for development at Canons Park station do not include step-free access as the land is not adjacent to the station. Step-free options may be possible to the south of the site, subject to third-party funding, but these will require further discussions with tenants as part of a future development.

Canons Park Station development (2)

Susan Hall: How many car parking spaces will be retained at Canons Park Station car park as part of TfL’s proposed development?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Question 2019/8991.

Northwood Station development (1)

Susan Hall: What impact will removing all commuter parking from Northwood Station have on the ability for commuters to access the station in this outer London location, and how will this affect tube ridership from this location?

The Mayor: My Transport Strategy is clear that we need to significantly reduce dependency on cars, and encourage greater use of public transport, walking and cycling.
Transport for London (TfL) and its development partner Notting Hill Genesis are proposing a dedicated loading and drop-off space for the station. A dedicated space will be provided for the potential introduction of TfL Dial-a-Ride services. TfL is also discussing with London Borough of Hillingdon the opportunity to introduce a demand responsive bus service to pick up local people from their home and take them to and from the improved bus interchange. In addition, TfL plans to increase the provision of disabled parking bays.
To encourage residents to cycle to and from the station, proposals will also include 24-hour secure cycle storage and lockers. There are alternative private and public car parks and short-term on-street car parking located nearby.
With the comprehensive approach that TfL is taking, it does not expect the removal of commuter parking at Northwood station to have a material impact on Tube ridership.

Northwood Station development (2)

Susan Hall: What will be the economic impact of failing to provide retail parking for TfL’s Northwood Station car park development, for the viability of existing businesses in the area and for the new commercial areas proposed as part of the scheme?

The Mayor: TfL anticipates that the scheme will have a positive economic impact, due to increased footfall from the planned residential development, and increased pedestrian dwell time from the creation of a new public square.
The new commercial areas proposed as part of the scheme will have dedicated servicing facilities, and this will be clear to prospective tenants.
Short term on-street car parking will continue to be available for the public in front of TfL’s retail units on Green Lane.

Smart Energy Meter

Leonie Cooper: What percentage of households in London have a smart energy meter? Please provide figures broken down by Borough.

The Mayor: Smart energy meter installation data is captured by Smart Energy GB. A 2018 breakdown by borough can be found here: https://www.smartenergygb.org/en/resources/press-centre/press-releases-folder/bus-tour-london?tab=1&docspage=1
I have become increasingly concerned about the progress of the national Smart Metering Implementation Programme, which is essential to the delivery of smart meters within London. I have written to, and my Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy has met with, Claire Perry, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to express my concern that the rollout is heavily delayed, running over budget, and that suppliers will not meet the 2020 deadline.
I also raised the need for government to ensure that the original SMETS1 (Smart Meter Equipment Technical Specification) meters that have been installed can continue to be used when people switch energy suppliers, that better consumer engagement and energy efficiency advice is provided, and that technical solutions to install smart meters in some London properties are put in place swiftly. Without these issues addressed, I am severely limited in my ability to promote the rollout to Londoners above and beyond my existing activities and proposals.
I will continue to promote and support the rollout of smart meters through my Energy for Londoners programme, and require all new developments to install second generation SMETS2 (Smart Meter Equipment Technical Specification) meters. I will also continue to discuss these issues with energy suppliers, Ofgem and BEIS.

Low emission Neighbourhoods

Leonie Cooper: Your Low Emission Neighbourhoods are due to be fully delivered this month. How will you be continuing to monitor and maximise their effectiveness?

The Mayor: The first round of five Low Emission Neighbourhoods (LENs) includes transformational public realm schemes, electric vehicle charging points, new cycling infrastructure, greening, pocket parks, new parking charges for polluting vehicles, and a host of other initiatives that will improve air quality and have a lasting legacy.
My officers have been closely monitoring their effectiveness in order to share any learnings with the London boroughs. A monitoring report will be published later this year which will summarise these. In the future, boroughs will provide annual updates on their LENs as part of their regular statutory reporting duties.
Given their success to date I have invited applications for more Low Emission Neighbourhoods through the next round of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund (MAQF). I will make further announcements about this in due course.

Clean Air Week

Leonie Cooper: How are you supporting Clean Air Week?

The Mayor: My officers have met with Global Action Plan (GAP) who are coordinating Clean Air Day, to agree the ways in which we will be supporting the campaign. I will be using this opportunity to continue to raise awareness with Londoners about air pollution, particularly the significant impact it has on people’s health. This year’s Clean Air Day which takes place on 20 June,is particularly important as Parliament considers new clean air legislation.
I am currently planning on supporting the day in a number of ways, including listing and promoting the range of borough clean air events through the London.gov.uk website, press and social media channels.
Further details will be announced in due course.

Energy Recovery

Leonie Cooper: Will you be supporting additional energy recovery schemes once Bunhill is operational at the end of the year?

The Mayor: My Decentralised Energy Enabling Project (DEEP) is actively supporting decentralised energy schemes across London which includes actively investigating opportunities for capturing and utilising waste heat within these networks. In 2018, Transport for London undertook an exercise to identify potential sites across London that could offer high potential for waste heat capture. This work identified nearly 60 locations that are now being further analysed using funding from DEEP. The work will complete in late 2019 and will develop feasibility studies for heat networks that can be developed, including using waste heat from the tube as one of their primary heat sources. DEEP will operate through to March 2020.

Car free day (2)

Leonie Cooper: Which Boroughs have been in touch about car-free day and asked for support for innovative activities?

The Mayor: I will be hosting a central London Car Free Day event on World Car Free Day, Sunday 22 September. Transport for London (TfL) officers have written to all London boroughs to ask about their plans for Car Free Day. Twenty boroughs have so far replied with their intentions. The majority of these boroughs intend to support Car Free Day, but are yet to finalise plans.
The London Boroughs of Ealing, Brent, Lambeth and Haringey responded with potential options for local road closures for TfL’s consideration.
TfL is in discussion with these boroughs and is also working closely with the City of London and the London borough of Southwark to develop the plans for the central London Car Free Day event.

Car free day (1)

Leonie Cooper: How are preparations going for car free day in September?

The Mayor: I will be hosting a central London Car Free Day event on World Car Free Day, Sunday 22 September. TfL is working with the City of London and London Borough of Southwark to develop the event footprint, and will announce more details soon.
I have also allocated funding to London Play, a charity which advocates Play Streets in London. Play Streets are a grass roots initiative, organised by residents for the street they live on. Neighbours agree to temporarily close their street to through traffic, making it a safe space for children to play. Play Streets allow residents to experience their street as a place to play, socialise and build communities. London Play will work with London’s boroughs and residents to support 200 Play Streets on Car Free Day.

London Living Wage

Leonie Cooper: Can you detail how many accredited London Living Wage employers there have been each year since the campaign began?

The Mayor: The London Living Wage campaign accreditation scheme began in 2011. The Living Wage Foundation have supplied information on the number of accredited Living Wage employers who have their headquarters in London.
There are now nearly 1,600 accredited London Living Wage employers. Below is a year by year breakdown of accreditations.
Year
No. of Accreditations
2011
4
2012
75
2013
104
2014
198
2015
198
2016
258
2017
285
2018
332
2019
145
Total
1599

National Park City

Leonie Cooper: What actions have you taken to prepare for June’s National Park City festival?

The Mayor: The National Park City Festival will mark the confirmation of London as the world’s first National Park City. From 20-28 July 2019, Londoners will be able to discover London’s amazing outdoors through environmental, cultural, sporting and community activities.

A fantastic programme of free events to celebrate London's green spaces, wildlife and waterways has been put together with a range of partners. These include the National Park City Foundation, the National Theatre, Open City, London Wildlife Trust, London Borough of Culture, ZSL, the Natural History Museum, the National Trust and London boroughs.
Community groups across London are also involved. We have run an open call for events and provided small grants to support over 70 local community events.
The full event listings will go live in the run up to the Festival. More details can be found on the website: www.london.gov.uk/national-park-city

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (4)

Steve O'Connell: As the draft new London Plan removes the density matrix guidance on setting and PTAL, what guarantees can be given that the replacement Policies for optimising housing densities contained in Policy D6, D2 and D1 will be observed, as the compliance to these policies are very subjective and vague and require local planning authorities (LPAs) to define their own evaluation criteria based on the guidance of these new policies for every planning application that comes before them?

The Mayor: The policies in my draft London Plan set out a clear and systematic approach to assessing development proposals that reflects site specific circumstances. These policies will help boroughs in assessing the optimum density for sites to be allocated in their Local Plans, as well as assessing individual applications. My draft Plan also requires boroughs to proactively establish appropriate site capacity parameters, following the design-led approach, for strategic development sites in their Local Plans. I am currently preparing detailed supplementary planning guidance to accompany the Plan that will provide additional detail on how to effectively optimise the capacity of sites by following the design-led approach.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (5)

Steve O'Connell: What monitoring procedures will be put in place to ensure that LPAs do not ignore the requirements of Policy D6, D2 and D1 to maintain appropriate residential and housing densities once the density matrix has been removed from the policy to ensure that appropriate public transport accessibility is maintained?

The Mayor: My draft London Plan is clear that the optimal density of a site should be determined through a design-led approach on a site-by-site basis. The draft Plan requires development proposals to provide a range of measures of density that are more useful than the current single density measure monitored. These include density measures that reflect the number of people or households per hectare, as well as density measures that demonstrate the physical space used (i.e. floor to area ratio, site coverage, and heights). The data I collect through the London Development Database will enable the continued monitoring of development density over the lifespan of the Plan.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (2)

Steve O'Connell: How will applicants or planning officers assess whether proposed developments meet the new NPPF guidance in paragraph 122 part c if and when the London Plan density matrix has been removed?

The Mayor: My draft London Plan explicitly recognises that the appropriate density of a site should be arrived at through a design-led approach, taking account of site context and the capacity of supporting infrastructure, including its existing and planned connectivity by walking, cycling and public transport to jobs and services. In preparing Development Plans, boroughs should plan to meet borough-wide growth requirements, including their overall housing targets, by assessing the capacity of existing and planned physical, environmental and social infrastructure to support the required level of growth and, where necessary, planning improvements to infrastructure capacity through infrastructure delivery plans or programmes to support growth in a timely manner.
Paragraph 122 Part C of the NPPF (2019) specifies that planning policies and planning decisions should take the availability and capacity of infrastructure and services into account. My draft Plan is clearly consistent with this requirement.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (3)

Steve O'Connell: If the London Plan density matrix is removed, what policies will be put in place to mitigate against over development of a locality which results on local congestion of public transport capacity?

The Mayor: The design-led approach in my draft London Plan requires an assessment of each development site’s context to identify opportunities and constraints that can determine the appropriate built form. My draft Plan is explicit that the density of individual development proposals should be reduced to respond to existing and planned levels of supporting infrastructure, including public transport capacity, where the capacity cannot be sufficiently expanded through the development or through a strategic approach to enhance area-wide infrastructure capacity.
It should be noted that the density matrix in the current London Plan does not mitigate against over-development of a site or locality and that there is nothing inherently sustainable about the numbers in the density matrix. The numbers provide no indication of whether there is enough infrastructure capacity to support the development or not, and they provide no information on the building’s form and whether it will relate well to the surrounding area. The ‘setting’ areas in the matrix cover such large and diverse areas they can’t be used to genuinely ensure the development responds to its context at the site level.

Removal of density matrix in the new London Plan (1)

Steve O'Connell: As Policy D6 of your new draft London Plan does not give clear guidance what densities are acceptable and what densities are not acceptable, Policy D6 does not give any guidance on the actual appropriate densities of proposed developments in relation to the setting or the local PTAL (public transport accessibility level). The policy requires planning officers to assess local development proposals on subjective evaluation of local characteristics and devise their own evaluation criteria. Applicants would not have any guidance on the appropriate densities for a proposed development and therefore the Policy D6 does not reflect para 122 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Therefore, what will planning policy be on managing residential densities of future development proposals, to reflect public transport capacity, if the density matrix is removed from the London Plan?

The Mayor: The current London Plan states that the matrix should not be applied mechanistically, and it is a misconception that the current Plan provides clear guidance on suitable densities. It is a rudimentary tool and the density ranges are very wide. Fifteen years of evidence indicates that the density matrix has provided a poor benchmark or indicator of appropriate densities. Over that period, only 35 per cent of development has been within the density matrix range, whereas 50 per cent of development has exceeded the matrix range for its location and 25 per cent has been double the top end of the range.
Considering London's housing need, optimising the density of all new development is a strategic matter for London. My draft London Plan explicitly recognises that the appropriate density of a site is an output of a process of assessment, rather than an input. The appropriate density of a site should be arrived at through a design-led approach, taking account of the site context and infrastructure capacity. Paragraph 122 of the NPPF (2019) requires planning policies and planning decisions to support development that makes efficient use of land, taking into account a range of contextual factors. My draft London Plan is consistent with this requirement.

Target of installing rapid charging points in London

Shaun Bailey: What progress has been made in meeting your target of installing 300 rapid charging points in London by 2020?

The Mayor: As of 8 May 2019, TfL have helped to install 178 rapid charge points on TfL land or with the support of the private sector and the London boroughs. There are also other rapid charging networks that have been installed by independent providers, taking the total to over 200.
The TfL project is on track to deliver the target of installing 300 rapid charging points in London by the end of next year.

Taxi-only Rapid Charging Points in London

Shaun Bailey: How many dedicated taxi-only rapid charging points have been installed in London, and do you consider this to be enough to support taxi drivers who have switched to the ZEC taxi and encourage more to do the same?

The Mayor: I am helping our world-famous taxi trade to go electric by giving drivers the financial support, priority and charging infrastructure they need to switch to cleaner Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) models.
As of 8 May 2019, TfL have helped to deliver 178 new rapid charge points. 72 of these are dedicated exclusively for electric taxis. There is now a total of over 200 rapid charge points when including other providers. London boroughs have also installed over 1,000 new lamp column charge points in residential areas, as part of the joint GLA/TfL/London Councils Go Ultra Low City Scheme, which will help drivers without off-street parking to charge overnight at home.
This is more than enough capacity as things stand but it continues to be monitored with the trade. TfL are informing drivers where rapid charge points have been installed as well as providing information on those that are less busy.
Following the work of my Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce, I will be publishing a new Delivery Plan so that we continue to support the uptake of electric vehicles and our pioneering taxi trade over the coming years.

Meanwhile use at Earls Court

Caroline Russell: Transport for London (TfL) owns some of the land at the Earls Court site, including the area around Lillie Bridge Depot and a part-share in the Earls Court Partnership, which owns the land where Exhibition Centres 1 and 2 once stood. Will you and TfL support meanwhile use for these areas to boost local footfall?

The Mayor: Earls Court Partnership Limited (ECPL) has opened a pop-up high street on Lillie Road. The high street now includes restaurants and shops providing amenity for the local community.

While I support meanwhile uses on the site, there is an urgent need for more genuinely affordable housing in London. It is completely unacceptable that the majority of the site remains unoccupied when there is the opportunity to quickly bring forward thousands of homes including high levels of genuinely affordable homes.

Apprenticeships and the London Living Wage

Caroline Russell: Do you agree that all apprentices in London should be paid at least the London Living Wage, as they are when employed by City Hall and the GLA group of organisations?

The Mayor: I believe that all hard-working Londoners should be fairly rewarded in their pay and all apprentices employed by City Hall, and the GLA group organisations are paid the London Living Wage. While the Living Wage Foundation does not require that accredited Living Wage employers pay apprentices the Living Wage, it is clearly good practice to do so, and as such I would encourage all employers to follow the example that I have set at the GLA, alongside many excellent businesses, and pay their apprentices at least the London Living Wage.

Portobello Business Centre further funding

Caroline Russell: Your Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise helpfully organised funding for the Portobello Business Centre to support businesses in the immediate wake of the Grenfell disaster. Will there be another round of funding to help businesses still suffering from the effects of the disaster?

The Mayor: My officers, alongside colleagues at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Transport for London (TfL) are continuing to work and support businesses affected by the Grenfell disaster. The London Growth Hub is currently developing its face to face business support offer, that will be launched in the Autumn of 2019. Activities will be delivered through a Hub & Spoke model with some planned activity to be delivered in the North Kensington area, to not only support businesses affected by the Grenfell disaster but also help towards the development of growth strategies for the wider business community.

Portobello Business Centre outreach business advisor

Caroline Russell: Portobello Business Centre supports businesses directly affected by the Grenfell disaster and those in the area suffering from the ‘mini recession’ in the wake of the disaster. These businesses struggle to attend pre-arranged meetings and would benefit from community outreach. Will your office fund an outreach business advisor to reach more small businesses who need help?

The Mayor: The GLA, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) provided funding to enable Portobello Business Centre to work with businesses in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy. Officers from the three organisations and Portobello Business Centre continue to meet monthly to coordinate follow up business support offer and other services that will deliver not only business advice but also some wraparound health and wellbeing support for the businesses affected.
In March 2018 the GLA provided funding to Portobello Business Centre to carry out diagnostics and business support to 80 businesses, to date the organisation has supported 42 businesses. Resources are still available for outreach and business support activity and can be accessed through Portobello Business Centre. The London Growth Hub is also developing business support activity that will be delivered in the North Kensington Area from October 2019.
I am aware that RBKC are in the final stages of developing a borough-wide economic development strategy which will contain a dedicated chapter on plans for the North Kensington area and will seek to address the fallout from the Grenfell tragedy as a whole.

Small businesses affected by the Grenfell disaster (2)

Caroline Russell: Small business tenants of Transport for London (TfL) who have been affected by the Grenfell disaster have told me they were disappointed to discover that rent relief offered by TfL in the wake of the disaster was much lower than other business landlords in the vicinity.
In future will TfL consider greater levels of rent relief that match other landlords in the vicinity when small businesses are affected by adverse events?

The Mayor: TfL has been working with its tenants and the Portobello Business Trust, a charity to help individual businesses that have been affected by the fire.
TfL always considers the situation of each individual tenant and provides assistance dependent on the specific business needs. As well as rent relief in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, TfL recently wrote to all of its tenants potentially affected by Grenfell offering further assistance until March 2020.

Small businesses affected by the Grenfell disaster (1)

Caroline Russell: Small business tenants of Transport for London (TfL) who have been affected by the Grenfell disaster have told me that it would be helpful if TfL had suspended rent reviews and offered monthly rent collection instead of quarterly. Will TfL review the quality of assistance offered to small businesses affected by adverse events?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has been working closely with the Portobello Business Trust, a charity which has been helping small businesses affected by the Grenfell tower fire.
Since the Grenfell disaster TfL has put forward a series of measures to help its small business tenants. These measures include allowing tenants to pay their rent monthly (rather than quarterly) to help with cash flow; creating a rent rebate scheme for tenants who have experienced a downturn in trade; ensuring there are no rent increases during 2019 and offering new leases with no increase in rent where these are in line with their neighbouring tenants.

Disposal of paint and household chemicals (3)

Caroline Russell: Has the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWRB) promoted Community RePaint (www.communityrepaint.org.uk) or equivalent organisations that collect leftover paint, redistributing it to community groups and individuals or remanufacturing it?

The Mayor: Yes. London Waste and Recycling Board (LWRB) promotes Community RePaint through its ‘London Recycles’ communications programme, enabling Londoners to find their local scheme to recycle leftover paint. See https://londonrecycles.co.uk/easy-ways-reduce-your-waste. See also response to Mayor's Question2018/5199 for more information on how I am promoting paints, chemicals and hazardous waste reuse and recycling through my London Environment Strategy.

Rate of flammable cladding remediation on private buildings

Andrew Dismore: How many privately-owned tall buildings with ACM-type cladding have been identified in London, how many have plans in place for remediation, how many have started remediation, and how many have completed remediation, since the launch of the Government’s building safety programme? Please provide this figure on a quarterly basis from the earliest suitable date.

The Mayor: MHCLG provides monthly updates on the Building Safety Programme. The data indicates that there were 223 privately-owned tall buildings in England comprised of residential blocks, hotels and student blocks with unsafe ACM cladding in England in April 2019. I understand that around half of the total number of buildings are located in London. Official sub-national statistics are not published.
Of the 223 private sector buildings identified with unsafe ACM cladding, 21 have started remediation work; 121 have a remediation plan in place but works have not started; 41 have reported an intent to remediate and are developing plans, and 40 buildings remain with unclear remediation plans. This is in addition to the 43 private sector blocks that have completed remediation work as of 30 April 2019.

Public sector flammable cladding remediation

Andrew Dismore: What was the total amount of cladding remediation funding awarded to the Greater London Authority to deal with public and social housing in London, and how much of it has been a) spent and b) committed, covering how many buildings?

The Mayor: The GLA manages the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund in London on the Government’s behalf. The Government approves funding applications, and a total of £206 million funding has been committed and has begun to be spent on 72 buildings in London.

Support for residents living with flammable cladding (2)

Andrew Dismore: Has the Greater London Authority considered establishing or procuring a loans facility to provide reasonable credit to leaseholders affected by interim fire safety and remediation costs in blocks with flammable cladding?

The Mayor: All the GLA’s housing funding comes from the Government and so any proposal to help leaseholders would need to be supported by them.
Although the Government has finally announced it will cover the cost of removing unsafe ACM cladding in privately owned blocks, this funding will not cover the cost of interim fire safety measures, nor other fire safety works not related to ACM cladding, and so my team will raise with Government our concern about the size of bills that individual leaseholders could still face forworks to make their buildings safe.

ZEC Numbers

David Kurten: What are your projections for the uptake of the new ZEC by the end of 2020?

The Mayor: I want to see as many zero emission capable (ZEC) taxis on London’s roads as possible.
The switch to ZEC taxis is integral to Transport for London’s (TfL’s) work to reduce taxi NOx emissions by 65 per cent by 2025 (on 2013 levels), which is also part of the Government’s Air Quality Plan. TfL is taking a number of measures to incentivise drivers to clean up London’s taxi fleet, as set out in my response to 2019/3379.
Projections for the uptake of ZEC taxis will be revised following TfL’s consultation on whether to reduce the maximum age limits for taxis. As of 15 April 2019, TfL has licensed 1,478 new ZEC taxis and I look forward to seeing many more on our roads in the coming months and years.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme and ZEC Taxis (1)

David Kurten: What information did TfL commission in order to provide proper analysis of the Taxi Delicensing Scheme and the introduction of the ZEC taxi?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/6169 regarding the Taxi Delicensing scheme.
Transport for London (TfL) undertook a consultation in the summer of 2015 on its updated proposals to introduce the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which included proposals for a ZEC requirement for taxis and proposals for private hire vehicles. More information about the consultation is available here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ulez-2/.
This followed an initial consultation on ULEZ proposals, which closed at the start of 2015: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ultra-low-emission-zone/.

Taxi Fleet Numbers

David Kurten: Before the new Taxi Delicensing scheme kicks in, the Taxi Fleet has dropped by 10% in less than 2 years; how many vehicles does the Mayor believe will be on the road by the end of 2020?

The Mayor: London taxi fleet numbers have fluctuated over the years due to many factors, and it is not possible to accurately predict how many there will be in future. My primary aim is to clean up London’s toxic air, and taxi vehicle licensees have a crucial role to play in this. I want to see as many zero emission capable (ZEC) vehicles on the road as possible, so I hope that the recent enhancement of the taxi delicensing scheme will help support taxi owners wishing to transition to a new ZEC taxi. I encourage the taxi trade to take advantage of the funding available to them for delicensing and invest in new ZEC vehicles.
You can monitor the number of licensed taxis by visiting the TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/licensing-i...
Please refer to my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/6172 for further details on the work that TfL is undertaking to promote being a taxi driver as an attractive career option.

Thames Barrier

Leonie Cooper: What progress have you made on your Environment Strategy commitment to ‘support the safeguarding of sites for a new Thames Barrier east of London’? What assessment have you conducted of when a new Thames Barrier will be required?

The Mayor: I have been working closely with the Environment Agency, who own and operate the existing Thames Barrier and are responsible for managing tidal flood risk in England, to safeguard sites for a future barrier.
Last year Thurrock Borough Council submitted development proposals for a scheme at the site earmarked for the construction of the new barrier. The Environment Agency and Port of London Authority formally objected to proposals. As this site is outside of London, I have no direct planning powers here. However, I wrote to the Leader of Thurrock Council. My letter urged them to work with the Environment Agency to reach an agreement to safeguard land for the barrier whilst allowing for redevelopment in the area. This was successful and all parties have since entered into an agreement to ensure land is available for barrier construction when needed.
Current plans suggest a new Thames Barrier will be needed in the 2070s. I am working with the Environment Agency to support their 10 year review (due in 2020) of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, which sets out actions for managing future tidal flood risk in the Thames Estuary. The review will examine the latest monitoring data and evidence, including the rate of sea level rise, to re-assess the timeline for delivering a new barrier, and to ensure the plan remains fit for purpose to protect London in future.

HS2

Leonie Cooper: Is it true that the new HS2 line might threaten water supplies for millions of Londoners? If yes, is this a price worth paying to cut 20 minutes off the journey from London-Birmingham?

The Mayor: HS2 is a project being delivered by High Speed 2 Limited, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). Transport for London (TfL) is working closely with HS2 and the DfT to understand the impacts of High Speed 2 on London.
TfL understands that the building of HS2, in line with the High Speed 2 Phase 1 Act and the environmental statement that supports it, does require the relocation of a number of water assets, including water mains and Victorian sewers, particularly in Camden. HS2 has been working very closely with Thames Water and has undertaken significant studies into the drainage and water provision. TfL understands that Thames Water is confident that it will be able to maintain supply to London around the works.

Conflict of Interest Concerns

Caroline Pidgeon: During the period 09 November 2016 to 24 July 2018, were any concerns about conflicts of interest involving TfL executives ever shared by any TfL board member with the Audit and Assurance Committee?

The Mayor: As far as I am aware, there has been one question raised about a potential conflict of interest involving a now former Transport for London executive. The issue was raised with the Commissioner of Transport, with the Chair of the Audit and Assurance Committee copied in. The Commissioner’s response set out the reasons why he did not agree that there had been any conflict of interest.

Food Waste (2)

Leonie Cooper: Please list those Boroughs in 2019 which do not offer separate food waste collections, sending food waste to Energy from Waste or Landfill.

The Mayor: Nine boroughs do not currently offer separate food waste collections to households, sending household food waste to Energy from Waste or Landfill. These boroughs are Barking and Dagenham, Barnet1, Hammersmith and Fulham, Havering, Kensington and Chelsea2, Newham, Redbridge, Wandsworth and Westminster3.
The other 24 boroughs offer household food waste collections that are either fully separated from other recycling streams for treatment via anaerobic digestion or co-mingled with garden waste for treatment via In-Vessel Composting.
My minimum service level for household recycling (Policy 7.2.1 in my London Environment Strategy) requires waste authorities implement weekly, separate food waste services for all kerbside properties by 2020.
Footnotes
1Barnet have suspended their food waste collections subject to a service review.
2Kensington and Chelsea currently provides a trial food waste collection service to approximately 4,000 properties.
3Westminster does not currently collect separate food waste from residents but is considering a trial service. The borough offers separate food waste collections to its commercial waste customers.

Food Waste (3)

Leonie Cooper: What is your estimate of the reduction in emissions that would result if all London Borough’s sent their food waste for anaerobic digestion?

The Mayor: Food waste makes up around 26 per cent or (780,000 tonnes) of London’s household waste. My priority is for London to reduce the amount of food waste produced in the first place. However, if all this waste was separately collected and sent for anaerobic digestion it would save around 375,000 tonnes of lifecycle CO2 equivalent emissions each year. A lifecycle approach considers greenhouse gas emissions associated with the ‘life’ of a waste product, from the mining and manufacturing processes through to its final disposal. This is equivalent to the emissions of nearly 110,000 homes in 2016.
The emission factors used for this calculation is taken from the London Environment Strategy Appendix 2 technical report Table 5.3 found at https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_eps_update_2017_final....

Food Waste (1)

Leonie Cooper: How much of London’s food waste is sent for anaerobic digestion? Please provide annual tonnes and percentage figures by Borough back to 2015.

The Mayor: Data is not available for the tonnage or percentage of food waste from individual London boroughs or London as a whole sent for anaerobic digestion.However, below are estimated figures from the GLA Waste Model, which uses Defra WasteDataFLow data. It is assumed that around 50 per cent of food waste collected goes to anaerobic digestion (agreed with Defra). The fall in food waste sent to anaerobic digestion or In-Vessel Composting (IVC) in 2017 is likely to be a combination of a reduction in food waste and some additional food waste being collected in residual waste (ie black bag waste) services and sent to incineration or landfill.
Year
Total amount of London’s food waste sent to anaerobic digestion or IVC (tonnes)
2015
110,000
2016
110,000
2017
91,000
Currently, 14 London Boroughs collect separate food waste that is sent for anaerobic digestion. These boroughs are Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Ealing, Hackney, Harrow, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. Another ten London Boroughs collect mixed garden waste and food waste for treatment via IVC. These are the London Boroughs of Enfield, Greenwich, Haringey, Hillingdon, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
My London Environment Strategy sets a minimum level of service for household recycling for all waste authorities to meet by 2020 (Policy 7.2.1), including weekly separate collections of food waste from all kerbside properties. I expect the amount of food waste available for treatment via anaerobic digestion to increase significantly as the minimum level of service is met and promoted to residents. Support for boroughs in implementing this is available through LWARB (Resource London).

Cleaner Heat Cashback

Leonie Cooper: How many businesses have so far benefited from the Cleaner Heat Cashback? What is the average cashback amount?

The Mayor: Since the scheme was launched on 31 July 2018, five businesses have been issued cashback vouchers. The average cashback amount is £11,750. There are a further nine applications being processed.
Measures have been put in place to address lower than expected uptake, including a targeted marketing push informed by business focus groups and very recent changes to scheme architecture to widen eligibility. Scheme progress and expenditure is being reviewed and closely monitored. The future of the scheme will be agreed at the next LEAP Board in June, including potential reallocation of underspend. I will report outcomes following the board meeting.

Better Futures

Leonie Cooper: How many businesses are registered with Better Futures?

The Mayor: Seventy-two London based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are now registered with Better Futures and have received support. The most common requests for support include product development, market research and segmentation, financial modelling, business modelling, funding applications, investment readiness and pitching preparation.
The project was set up to stimulate innovation activity in 100 London based SMEs who are in the low carbon sector. It helps them to test and verify their Cleantech products and services, grow their businesses and bring their products to market. The project is on track to meet its target of supporting 100 SMEs by December 2019.

Food Waste (4)

Leonie Cooper: If all London Boroughs send their food waste for anaerobic digestion, how much green gas would be created and how many homes could it supply?

The Mayor: London households produce around 780,000 tonnes of food waste each year. My priority is to firstly reduce the amount of food waste produced. However, if all this waste was collected separately the most environmentally beneficial way to treat the material would be through anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas (a methane-rich gas or green gas) suitable for energy production. This is often referred to as ‘green gas’. Sending all of London’s household food waste to anaerobic digestion would produce approximately 624 tonnes of methane, sufficient to power approximately 75,000 homes. See response to Mayor's Question 2019/9163 for more information.

Food Waste (5)

Leonie Cooper: What incentives exist to persuade London Boroughs to send their food waste to be anaerobically digested?

The Mayor: My London Environment Strategy requires waste authorities to deliver all kerbside properties a separate weekly food waste collection by 2020. Separately collected food waste is suitable for treatment by anaerobic digestion, which is the most sustainable treatment method for this waste stream. Implementing separate food waste collections has been proven to boost recycling rates and reduce contamination with dry recycling materials; which acts as an incentive for London Boroughs to separate food waste for anaerobic digestion.
Waste authorities have to pay a charge, or a ‘gate fee’, to send waste to a processing facility. Financial incentives for boroughs to send food waste to anaerobic digestion facilities can be found in reduced gate fees for anaerobic digestion compared to alternative treatment routes. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Gate Fees Report 2017/18 shows that the median gate fee for anaerobic digestion was £49 per tonne, while the median In-Vessel Composting (IVC) gate fee per tonne ranged between £61 for food waste only, £49 for mixed food waste and garden waste and £31 for green waste only. In the same year, the median gate fees reported by all UK local authorities for other disposal routes by Energy from Waste and Landfill (including landfill tax, 2017/18 tax year) were £86 and £107 per tonne respectively.
Anaerobic digestion generates renewable energy that can be injected directly into the gas grid, into a gas engine to generate electricity, or used as a fuel for powering vehicles. Boroughs can dramatically reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing or directly generating electricity from this clean, renewable energy source.